
Class r y) I 



Rrmk ■ 0(r> ti 7 



;^ 



ORANGELAND. 



A DESCRIPTION 



OF THE 



TOPOGRAPHY, CLIMATE, SOIL, PRODUCTIONS, RESOURCES. 

ADVANTAGES, OPPORTUNITIES, PROSPECTS, 

AND GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS 



OF 



OKA^^GE COUNTY, 



FLORIDA. 



SH:E]I^Is^.^3^ -^1D-^2s/CS, lEZd-itor. 



1883-4 



OPvLAXDO. FLA.: 

PRINTKD BY ^.lAHLON GORE, 

ORANGE COLXTY REPOETKE. 






In response to a verv urgent demand tVoni all parts ot 
the Union, and even from Europe, tor lull and reliable inlor- 
mation \vith regard to the climate, soil, resources, capabili- 
ties, progress, and prospects of the section of countr\' in the 
\er\- heart of the Orange Belt known as Orange county, it 
\\as determined to issue a pamphlet giving as tull and con- 
cise information as possible. With this purpose in \ie\v Mr. 
Sherman Adams, a Hfe-long journahst and a well known 
newspaper and magazine writer, for the past two \ears a res- 
ident of tiiis coimt\', has devoted several months to the gath- 
ering of necessary- data and the preparation of articles upon 
tln> \aried topics, taking great pains to insure the accuracy 
and reliability of all his statements. At the regular meeting 
of the board, the fwSt Monday in October, Mr. Adams read 
sexeral sections of the same in our presence and we authorize 
its ]iublication, as having met the appro\al of the Board and 
being well worthy 'the attention and conlidence of all who 
ma^' peruse its pages, he ha\ing restricted himself to a plain 
statement (^f facts with regard to the points upon which inf)r- 
mation is so earnestly sought. We, therefore, endorse it as 
tile otlicial statement with regard to Orange countw 

King Wvllv, 
Gec. E. Sawyer, 
D. B. Stewart, 
J. II. Campbele. 
A. S. Campbell, 



Orlando. Fla.. Oct. i. 1883. 



Board of Co. Com'rs. 

*G io •(] 

8061 Z.S NHi 



's-/ 

^ 



Florida. 

Florida I A Florida home ' What mai^ic in the word. 
What a host of sweet poetic aspirations are aroused by the 
mention. A home in the land ot" the orange. A home where 
the* gentle kisses of the balmy breezes impart health to the 
bodv and joy to the soul. A land where the odorous lorests 
and" the fragrance of countless delicious tlowers make the 
soft, genial, and soothing atmosphere an. unfailing reservgir 
of health, strength, and calm, tranquil content. Aland that, 
compared with the cheerless rigors of a bleak, frozen northern 
winter, is indeed an Eden on earth. A land of sunshine and 
of health, where the cruel m\'r:nidons of wasting disease are 
torced to loose their grasp and flee before the advancing 
banners of victorious health, strength and joy. Thousands, 
snatched, as it \\'ere, from the very jaws of death and the 
brink of the crumbling grave, gladly gi\e voice to the new 
life bv which thev are inspired, and recount the beneiits to 
be realized in Florida. 

Those, too. who are full of health and abcuuiding strengtii. 
find here opportunities for advancement such as are to be 
found in no other sUite of the Union, nor in any other part of 
the known world. There is but one Florida. But one 
Orange countw Though the streams roll dovvU no golden 
sands, though mines of diamonds are not to be found in her 
hills or water courses, yet her delicious and incomparable 
climate< and the peculiar constituents of her soil, place abun- 
dant wealth within the grasp of all who will but reach fortl: 
and take it. The golden apples of the Hesperides charm, 
delight, and enrich. The thousand productions that nature 
presents with lavish hand have but to be utilized, and lo ! 
they are transformed into illimitable wealth. This is indeed 
the land for happv, healthful homes, where care shall be a 
stranger and want shall never show his haggard face. Here 
everv one can sit beneath the shade of his own \ine and tig 
tree, with vegetables in abundance at his feet and Iruits in- 
numerable of the choicest varieties bv his side. Verily, this 
is no overdrawn picture. It mav seem poetical phantasy : bui 
it is practical certainty. 



OFFICIAL DIRECTORY 



-OF- 



ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA. 



Circuit Court — Seventh Judicial Circuit. 

William Archer Cocke, Judge. 

A. St. Clair-Abrams, State Attorney 



County Commissioners — King Wvlly, Geo. E. Sawyer, I). 

B. Stewart, J. H. Campbell, A. S. Campbell. 
County Judge — J. D. Beggs, Orlando. 
County Clerk — T. J. Shine, Orlando. 
Board of Public Instruction — W. Kilmer, Chairman ;\V. 

H. Holden, C. A. Boone, E. A. Wilson, J.J. Combs : 
vSuPERiNTENEENT OF ScHooLS — J. T. Beeks, Orlando. 
County Surveyor — J. O. Fries, Orlando. 
County Assessor — ^J. M. Owens, Umatilla. 
County Collector — A. M. Hyer, Orlando. 
County Treasurer — C. W. Jacocks, Wilcox. 
Sheriff — T. W. Shine, Orlando. 



newspapers. 



Orange Count^• Rc^orte7\ Orlando ; 

Mahlon Gore, Editor and Publisher. 
Sanford your^ial, Sanford ; 

Dr. J.J. Harris, Editor and Publisher. 
Tavares Jlrra/d, Tavares ; 

A. St. Clair-Abrams, Editor and Publisher. 
Semi- Tropical, Eustis ; 

Geo. F. Miner, Editor and Publisher. 
Altoona Arg-us, Altoona ; 

E. H. Vogt, Editor; Thos. J. Ilinson, Publisher 
Apopka Citizen, Apopka ; 

Rev. F. A. Tavlor, Editor and Publisher. 
Jiittcr Szi'cct, Kissimme Citv ; 

Will Wallace IIarne^', Editor and l^ublisher. 



bureau OF FLORIDA INFORMATION ; 

Sherman Adams, Orlando. 



Orange County. 

This far famed section ot country, that is developing 
with such unprecedented rapidity, is situated near the center 
of the Florida peninsula in its narrowest part and is the heart 
of the orange belt, climate and soil combining to make its 
luscious fruit unsurpassed. It extends forty miles from east 
to west and occupies a little more than from the 28th to the 29th 
degrees ot latitude. It is below the limit of destructive frosts 
and is not subject to severe therrhometric changes, though 
there are sufficient alternations of temperature to prevent that 
feeling of lassitude experienced in some tropic countries, es- 
pecially in the sea islands. 

Its location seems to be neutral as regards tornadoes and 
cvclones, their paths lying miles to the north and south of its 
boundaries. It is in tact situated in the same zone as the 
great civilizations of antiquity, the birthplace of the human 
race and the supposed site of the Grarden of Eden. Hence, 
migration to Orange county means a return to first principles 
and the securing of those climatic conditions and natural ad- 
vantages that the Creator deemed essential to the well being 
of mankind in its earliest development. 

.Orange count}' embraces an area of 2,300 square miles, 
1,440,000 acres and 65 Congressional townships. Its surface 
is the most varied of any section of the State and all grades 
and qualities of soil and varieties of surface are disposed in 
the most peculiar, varied, and intimate juxtaposition. 
Though containing few high hills, and no mountain ranges 
or sandy deserts, the most of the surface is high and rolling, 
it being the water-shed of this portion of the State, several of 
the largest rivers having their source w^ithin its boundaries. 
The celebrated St. Johns river forms its east line for about 
a hundred miles, and the famed Ocklawaha quite a distance 
at the northwest. Magnificent lakes help inclose it on all 
sides, diversify its area* and give favorable advantages in the 
matter of navigation. Lake George to the northeast. Lakes 
Monroe, Jesup and Harney on the east, and to the west Laky* 
Griffin, Eustis, Dora, Beauclair, Sams, Apopka and Johns, 
all fine bodies of water. At the south, Big and Little Tohop- 
kaliga and Conway. In the interior, dotting the country 
at short intervals, are a multitude of pure, clear water lakes 



ORANGF.LAND. 



of every conceivable size and form, and many of them are 
well known from the thriving settlements on their borders, 
lake front building sites being in great demand, not becausi' 
of their scarcity, but on account of their beauty and man\- 
adxantages. 

LANDS AND SOIL. 

The most of the lands of Orange countv are high and 
rolling, the soil a sandy loam, and covered with a tine grow ih 
of majestic pine with black jack oak on some of the ridges of 
lighter soil. Next in quantitv come the flat woods lands, 
also co\'ered with pine, with now and then a tract of bushy 
hard wood growth called scrub, and an occasional cypress 
swamp of less or greater extent. These are too level for 
rapid natural drainage and are underlaid with a bed of clam- 
or hard pan a short distance from the surface, and hence 
after a heavy rain fall the}' are covered with waiter for days 
or weeks. Manv of these can be readilv utilized by drainage 
and made very valuable vegetable and fruit lands. 

In various parts of the countv are prairies, of greater or 
less extent, and along the St. Johns river are extensive sa\an- 
nas that are o\'erflowed at high water but at other times lur- 
nish excellent grazing for cattle. There are, also, occasional 
tracts of scrub lands that, now esteemed but lightly, will 
doubtless be eventualh' utilized, as, with the exception ot less 
apparent fertilitv of soil, they ha\'e the same general charac- 
teristics as the rolling high pine lands, and when fertilized 
[produce the verv hnest qualitx' of oranges. 

Along the margins of lakes and streams are lands cover- 
ed with dense growths of majestic hard wood trees, live oak, 
hickory, water oak, magnolia, gum, red and w'hite bay, 
maple, ash, cedar, linden, cabbage palm, and numerous 
other varieties. These lands are called hammock, and are 
classed as high and low hammock. The high hammock is 
very nnich like the high pine land except that it possesses a 
deeper soil with a larger amount of vegetable mold and is 
covered with hard woods instead of \ellow and pitch pine. 
The low hammocks are virtuallv swamps. They have a very 
deep, black soil composed of decayed vegetable matter and 
where susceptible of drainage are the most valuable lands tor 
vegetable gardens. Both kinds of hammock are found at 
intervals, though mostly of limited extent : jutting out from 
the lakes are similiar lands called bavs or ba}' heads. 

CLIMATE. 

A great, though not b^' an^■ means the only attracti\-e 
feature of Orange countv is its delicious climate, the superior. 



ORAXGELAXD. 



if the equal, ot 'which probably cannot be found elsewhere on 
the face of the habitable globe. Being situated in the nar- 
rowest part of the peninsula, here but ninet}' miles wide, it 
gets the full beneht of the semi-daily breezes from Ocean and 
(julf, with their harshness extracted by filtration through bal- 
i^amic pine forests tor about thirty miles on either side. Oc- 
cupying the highest part of the peninsula, with a beautifulh' 
rolling surface, and with no high mountains within man\' 
miles to deflect the natural air currents, y\ith no extensixe 
swamps or other sources of miasm to poison the air, its sur- 
face being mostly a sandv loam, covered with aromatic pine 
forests, it is evident that no localit}- can possibly possess more 
healthful conditions. 

HEALTHFULXESS. 

Experience pro\-es that its healthful surface, its clear. 
sunny atmosphere thus tempered and medicated by live, 
healthful odors constantly renewed, its clear, pure water, its 
delicious fruits and choice vegetables, are not only conducive 
to health ]:)ut curatix'e of disease, and people can li\'e and 
thrixe here on a diet and under conditions of neglect and 
subject to exposures that would destroy them elsewhere. As 
an example of its effect on the physical system the native 
race of Indians may be cited. Nowhere did the Spaniards 
find such desperate, bitter, and successful resistance to their 
encroachments, cruelties and tyrannies as from the hard\', 
lithe, and finely proportioned Indians of the Florida peninsu- 
la, and nowhere has our own Government found the race 
more difficult to subdue. The ver}' air is instinct with free- 
dom from all that enthralls body and mind. Besides this, 
sex'eral of the most destructive diseases that afflict mankind 
and fill the world with sorrow and mourning are unable to 
maintain a foothold .in Orange county. The \'irtues of the 
climate successfully defy their power and many a stricken 
sufterer has here found a cit}' of refuge where he, or she, 
could safely hurl defiance at the fell destro3'er. The diseases 
referred to are. Pneumonia, (very rare), Diptheria, (none). 
Typhoid Fever, (verj^ rare), Phthisis, (very rare), Yellow 
Fever, (none). Hydrophobia, (none,) Sun Stroke, (none). 

Orange county is in fact the '" Sanitarium of the World," 
and year b}' year, as the yirtues of her incomparable climati. 
the excellence of her location, the purity of her water supply, 
the varied character of her topography, the resources and 
excellent and producti\-e qualities of her soil, its adaptabilitx' 



ORANGELAND. 



to almost every product of both the temperate and the tropic 
zones, the illimitable number of lovely and desirable locations 
for residences, the opportunities to engage in whatever occu- 
pation one may prefer, the ease of obtaining a livelihood and 
securing a competence or a fortune for declining years : all 
these and many other facts that might be adduced combine 
to account for the great esteem in which Orange county is 
held and are potent reasons for her rapid development. 

MOST DEVELOPED LOCALITIES. 

Although individuals have located here and there, all 
o\'er the county, the great majority have made their homes 
in the lovely strip of country but a few miles wide that ex- 
tends either side of the South Florida railroad trom Sanford 
on the south side of Lake Munroe, the natural gatewav of 
the county, to Orlando, the count}' seat, and a few miles be- 
yond. Within the last two or three years and since the com- 
pletion of the Astor & Lake Eustis railroad, the delightful 
high and rolling countr\' in the northwestern part of the 
county, in what is known as the "Great Lake Region," is 
justly developing with une.vampled rapidity. The comple- 
tion of the extension of that road to Tavares to the south and 
of another branch to Leesburg in Sumpter county on the 
west and the completion of the standard guage road to 
Tavares, and ol the Tavares, Orlando & Atlantic road, also 
a standard guage, to Orlando the present season, will aid im- 
menseh' in the rapid development of the whole western por- 
tion of the countv, which, being nowhere surpassed, only 
awaits read}' transportation to become very thickly settled. 
The whole northern part of the countv from Lake George to 
Lake Munroe has as yet attracted but few settlers, and tlu- 
same is true of the whole southeastern and southern portion, 
excepting Kissimmee City on the South Florida railroad, which 
is growing rapidh'. The opening up of numerous projected 
lines of railroad will hasten the growth of other sections, 
especially that verv fnie portion in the vicinity of Lakes 
Apopka, Stark, Butler, Wanee, etc. In fact, all over 
the county are beautiful lakes and choice locations, produc- 
tive and desirable lands that now settled b}' families some 
distance apart only need to be known, and the daily visits of 
the iron horse, to speedily till them with a prosperous and 
conter ed people surrounded by every comfort and with the 
means of gratifying every reasonable desire. 

OWNERSHIP OF LANDS. 

The lands throughout the county are mostly in the hands 
of individuals, and the day is past when many good Govern- 



ORANGELAND. 9> 



ment homesteads can be located, though one can be found 
occasionally, and the relinquishment of others that are im- 
proved or partially improved, can no.v and then be purchased 
at a moderate price. There are, also, some lands held by 
the Disston company and by different railroad companies that 
are selling at reasonable rates. Land is plenty, however, 
for nearly every settler has several times as much as he can 
improve, a portion of which he prefers to sell that he may 
have more neighbors, and also secure means to improve the- 
remainder. Here no one needs more than five acres, and he 
can get a better living from that amount and have a fatter 
pocketbook than from an average titty acres at the north, or 
in other parts of the South, and do it more easily and with., 
less anxiet3^ 

PRODUCTS AND A\OCATIONS. 

This is a fruit and vegetable and not a farming countrx , 
as the term is generally understood. A man does not rexel 
in view of his broad acres and extensive tields of waA'ing 
grain, but derives his satisfaction from his well tilled garden 
and beautiful, fruitful grove of luxuriant evergreen and its 
luscious golden fruit that assures him an independent income 
and prospects constantly brightening. 

The generality of avocations ma}' be followed here, but 
the first duty of every man is to secure a few acres of land, 
and commence its improvement. If he has but little means 
he must go slow, work for his neighbors for his livelihood 
and develop his own land as he has opportunity. This will 
pro\'e a savings bank to him and he can see his capital stead- 
ilv increasing without fear that some speculative and dishon- 
est bank president or cashier nnn' squander his substance 
and reduce him to penur\-. In his fine groves of the varied 
fruits of the citrus familv and his small \et well tilled field, 
he has the assurance of a comfortable pro\'ision tor all future 
wants and a sure inheritance for his children and children's 
children atler him to the liiird and fourth generation. Wliat 
can prevent a man so situated from having a constant feast 
of calm and joyous content, for a quite small grove assures 
an independent income. 

ADVANTAGES 0FFERE;D. 

Orange county offers great inducements to the man of 
means and to the man of little property. E\erything here 
shows intense activity. Values are increasing rapidly and 
we have yet to learn of a single judicious investment tliat 
could not have been resold in a few weeks or months at 



JO ORANGE LAND. 



hiri^elv enhanced prices. Now is the time to better your 
v:ondition. " A word to the wise is sufficient."* 

HOW TO REACH OI^ANGE COUNTY. 

The natural and customar}- gateway to Orange county is 
In- St. Johns ri\er steamers to Santbrd on Lake jNIonroe, 200 
miles south of Jacksonville, thence by the South Florida rail- 
road to the various towns along its line to Kissimme City, 
fortv miles to the southv/ard. From the several stations con- 
vevances can be had at reasonable prices to any point in the 
contiguous country-. 

The route for those wishing to go to the Great Lake 
Region in the northwest part of the county, is to leave the St. 
Johns river steamer at Astor and take passage on the cars of 
the St. Johns & Lake Eustis railroad to an}- desired locality. 
Conveyances can be had to visit the surrounding country. 

Throuuii trip tickets to Astor or Sanford can be secured 
at anv of the principal offices in the North or West, by rail or 
water, or both combined. 

A WORD OF ADVICE. 

After reaching the objective point in the county, secure 
CDmforcable quarters and devote a few days to quiet observa- 
tion and the making of acquaintances. Visit different sec- 
tions and learn their special characteristics. Every locality 
lias its specific differences and it will be well for you to ac- 
quaint yourself with them. Ever}- place desires to secure 
new settlers, but vou need time to learn which will suit }()u 
best. Some persons will disparage every location but their 
own. When vou meet such an individual beware of him tor 
he will try to deceive you. There is, however, one feature 
peculiar to Florida — every individual seems to really believe 
tluit there is no other locality equal to his own. This is 
strange, but true. Do not get excited and boast what }-ou 
propose to do. Keep your eyes and ears intelligently open 
and incite your reflective faculties to their proper duty. As- 
sure yourself that you know nothing whatever of the countr}- 
or the conditions necessary to success. You will lind very 
many things different from what you expected ', not worse, 
but different. You will tind the people quite as active, intel- 
ligent and cultured as those you have been accustomed to 
nieet, and as honorable and straightforward in their dealings 
and representations, and thev know much better than }-ou do 
the country and its capabilides. 

LOCATION, j:xri:NSE, ETC. 

Having determined u]M)n your location and assured 



ORANGELAND. 1 1 



3'ourself that it is favorable to your contemplated business or 
a\ocation, the next thing to be done is to have a requisite 
portion cleared, fenced and made read^' for the contemplated 
crop or grove. The expense will var}- in different localities, 
but estimates will be given in succeeding pages. 

A house is in order and that will cost whatever amount 
vou ma^' please, depending upon size and style, for all sizes, 
qualities and styles are in fashion. The log house period has 
passed, hence, you will probably, but not necessarilv, build 
of boards. Rough lumber costs $14 to ^16 per M ; planed 
•ti8 to $22 ; shingles ^-\. to $6, There are numerous saw 
mills in the county, but more are needed to accommodate the 
rapidl}- increasing population. 

PLANTING GROVES. 

Groves are set out at all seasons of the vear, the onl\- 
requisite seeming to be that the ground be or be made moist 
for a few days. If the heavens fail to supph' water you can 
cart (or *• tote ') it from a lake or well. The prices of young 
trees range from 25 cents upwards according to size. Nice 
ones are 75 cents to ^i^i.oo each. You should get several 
varieties each of oranges, lemons, limes and guavas. Near 
the house yard you should also have grapes, tigs, Japan 
plums, Japan persimmons, several kinds of mulberries, al- 
mond, olive, pomegranates, grape fruit, citron, date palm, 
paw-paw, man^o, and a variety of other trees. Also pine- 
apples, bananas, strawberries, pepper tree, palma christa, 
pecan, etc., etc. It will be but little trouble and v\ill well 
repay you. The Japan persimmon and the mulberrv grovr 
very rapidlv and make beautiful shade trees. 

GARDEN VEGETABLES. 

A good vegetable garden can be started at once and w ill 
do well with care, but the soil needs special preparation and 
fertilizing as there is an acidity in the soil that requires stir- 
ring and the sun's influence to remove. An application of 
lime would doubtless hasten the sweetening process. The 
safest crops for the first year are cow^ peas and sweet potatoes. 
Garden vegetables can be planted at almost any season of 
the year, and with proper care and fertilization produce ex- 
cellent results. Hammock lands are preferred for gardens 
but the high pine lands with one-quarter the fertilization cus- 
tomary at the North, show great productiveness, the vegeta- 
bles being of fine size and excellent quality. 

WHAT TO DO AT FIRST. 

An important question with manv, and especially to those 
with limited means, is how to get along the several years 



12 ORANGELAND. 



required for their groves to come into bearing. The rich can 
busy themselves with improvements without regard to income, 
but the poor man and the man of Hmited means also desires 
the luxurv of living in so unequalled and incomparable a 
climate, the merits of which the most enthusiastic writers are 
unable to but feebly describe. It must be experienced to be 
realized. Hence the frequent question, "What can I do for 
a li\'elihood the tirst few years?'' 

A man cannot put money in a savings bank or invest it 
in business unless he has it. What are you doing now to 
secure a livelihood? Working. Well, you can get a living 
and ought to save something besides, by working here.- The 
cost of eatables here is just about the same as where you are. 
Here you save the expense of fuel to a great degree ; also 
save largely in clothing. Besides, the inducements for and 
opportunities of spending money for mere personal gratifica- 
tion, to indulge some whim or passing fancy, are less here 
than there. Neither do people spend as much for style and 
they are not expected to. In short, you can and are expect- 
ed to live more cheaply in every respect than in other sections 
of the oountry. You are laying the foundations of future 
competence and independence — of a fortune. 

But, howsoever much you may save, something must be 
brought in to keep the larder tilled and the pot boiling. 
Wliat shall it be? The tirst recourse is manual or mental 
labor for others. Many have begun thus and succeeded.* 
The next recourse is to raise something for yourself. Learn 
from your more intelligent neighbors what crops \ou can 
raise speedily and how and when to plant them. This em- 
braces the whole range of vegetables, rice, corn, sugar cane, 
cotton and tobacco. A good income can be secured in two 
or three years by planting orange and other seeds and rais- 
ing young trees tor sale. Pine apples, also, yield a return 
the second year. Strawberries \-ieid in a few months. If 
vou know how to manage poultry successfully you can makr 
them yield you a handsome income with little delay. Poul- 
try do well here and pay excellent profits, besides impro\ing 
the land on which they range. 

What one can do depends mainly upon the individual 
and his previous habits and experience. Each one will in- 
crease his means according to liis enterprise and abilit^•. No 
one has been known to die of starvation here. There is 
work for all. Some can chop down trees or split rails, grub 
the roots oijt of new land, dig ditches, plow, plant, hoe, or 
help build houses. There is plenty of work for all and good 
wages. No one can atlbrd to sit down and wait for his 



ORANGELAND. 13 



orange, lemon, or lime trees to come into bearing, for there 
is a "long interval between the piney woods and the golden 
fruitage. Be up and doing with a heart for any fate and 
success is certain. There are fewer drones here than at the 
North. It is discreditable to have no earnest avocation. 

WHAT PEOPLE ARE DOING. 

As previously remarked orange growing is the predom- 
inant industry. Some are giving a part of their attention to 
limes, lemons, Japan persimmons, pine apples, strawberries, 
and other fruits ; some to raising vegetables and get quicker 
returns. There are a variety of kinds of business that can 
be carried on successfully. Human nature and human wants 
are the same here as elsewhere. The opportunities offered 
are many and the man of enterprise and intelligence will 
adapt himself to his circumstances and improve the chances 
offered. Manv new manufactories might be started with 
profit to the individual and benefit to the community. 

THE CLASS OF PEOPLE HERE. 

The people here as a rule are the more intelligent and 
enterprising from all communities. Thev mean business and 
work accordingly. Thev are laving the foundations ot lu- 
ture fortunes. Those who come here expecting to tind an 
ignorant, shiftless, unambitious people will be greatly mis- 
taken. In no section of the world will be found a more 
intellig-ent, earnest, orderly, and law-abiding class ol citizens. 
They are making the wilderness blossom as the rose, and 
developing delightful homes in what is ,to be the wealthiest 
State of the Union. Many of their yards are tilled with flow- 
ers and ornamental shrubs and trees that bloom throughout 
the year, and here the ladies can indulge their love for the 
beautiful to their hearts content and dwell amid the choicest 
flowers the year round. 

KINIXS OF LAND. 

As before stated the lands are varied and every reason- 
able desire can be satisfied. There are seven grades ot lands : 
High and low hammock, prairies, flat-woods, and the rolling, 
high pine lands that constitute the larger portion of the sur- 
face. There are occasional limited areas ot scrub, and now 
and then a cypress swamp. There is very little ot the sur- 
face but will prove available. The numero^is clear-water 
lakes add greatly to Orange County's manifold attractions, 
and it is sure to be the most densely populated of any section 
of the Union, excepting the large cities, and -there will be 
more true and lovely homes to the square mile than can be 



I_j. OR ANGEL AND. 



found elsewhere. It will be a land of hotels, boardini^ houses 
and happv homes surrounded bv ever^'reen fruit trees and 
flowers, and plats of choice fruits and veLi;etables ready for 
use every month in the \'ear. 

FUTURE CONDITION. 

Of large cities there will be but few, or none, but there 
will be a local center every two or three miles, if not even 
nearer, wit): scliool. church, postoftice, store, etc., and every 
family will be in comfortable or independent circumstances, 
for, from their plat of from two to five acres of \\ell tilled 
land, they will derive an income of at least $500 to -t 1,000 
per acre, and probably more, for they will adopt the intensive 
s\'stem of cultivation. Their houses will be well supplied 
with all the appliances of modern civilization, with books and 
works of art, the latest publications, and their necessary- 
hours of labor will be so few that thev \\ill have abundant 
leisure to improve their minds by study and social conx^erse. 
Relieved from the predisposing causes to care and worry, 
they will enjov excellent health and be in a condition to se- 
cure their lull share of all the joys that life alfords. What 
can be more desirable or atLractive ? 

Communication with diflerent localities will be easy, tor 
the wdiole section of country wnll be intersected and bisected 
by the many lines of railroads that will be required to trans- 
port the immense crops of fruit and x'egetables that will be 
produced here. Probably no section of the Union will ha\ e 
so many m.iles of railroad to the square mile as will the Or- 
ange Belt of Florida. Then, too, numerous lines of steam- 
ers will trax'crse the man\- na\-igable lakes and rivers, and 
innumerable opj")ortunities for enioN'ment will be atforded 
both \-isitors and residents. 

IIEALTHI'ULNESS OF OKANCE COl'NTV. 

The prevalent diseases and the ]iabilit\- of being pros- 
trated b\- sickness are ver^• iniportant factors in determining 
the desirability of an\- count\', or section, as a place of resi- 
dence, either temporarily or permanenth'. Of Orange county 
we feel conlident that we can conscientiously assert that there 
is novvht're a section of coinUr\- of equal size, with so great a 
variety of surface, soil, etc., that is as free from diseases of 
all kinds. People are sick morf or less ex'erywhere, and it 
is appointed irnto all once to die, but here diseases are of a 
\-erv mild t\'pe, usually \-ielding readily to treatmenl. and 
the few practicing jihvsicians get but ver\-. little business from 
the resident population, their income being chiefly deri\-ed 
from invalids who come here for the beneiit ot their health. 



ORAXGELAND. IS 



while statistics show the death rate to be less than in any 
other section of the Union, notwithstanding the thousands ot 
invalids in every stage of disease who come here annual! \-. 
as a last resort, m the hope of improving their health, and the 
great majority tind health improved and life prolonged. 

On the rolling, high pine lands there seems to be no 
prevalent disease whatever, though wrong habits, o\ereating. 
or overexertion mav bring on an attack of indigestion or bil- 
liousness. In the low hammocks and wet, marshy places 
there is here as elsewhere a liabilitv to billions and malarial 
levers, but unlike thousands of other localities, they are ot a 
mild instead of a \irulent tvpe, and bv proper i;reatment tr.e 
patient is soon restored to health. Of the great list ot dis- 
eases so common at the North and West and the South we 
know nothing. 

INSECTS, REI'TILES, ETC. 

The prevalent insects tiiat here, as well as elsewhere, 
anno\' mankind are mosquetoes, fleas, gnats and roaches. 
There are but verv few house flies, strange as it may seem. 
A walk along the grassy margins of tb.e lakes and streams 
while wet with dew v'ill oiten insure a few minute insects 
called red bugs, that, if not removed, will burrow in the flesh 
and make a running sore, but a wash with plenty of soap usu- 
allv disposes of tliem or, if thev have burrowed in the skin 
before discovered, an application c.^f kerosene and sulphur de- 
stro\'s them at once. 

Mosquitoes are far less num.ercus in Orange courity th.an 
in manv otlier parts of tlie Union and are mostly confmcd to 
low localities, the low borders of bodies of water, eLc. 
Ver\- few infest the rolling high pine lands. For some unex- 
plained reason fleas seem to cause but little trouble after the 
flrst vear, but will breed on hogs and dogs. Gnats also infest 
but few localities, and in all our travels in the county we have 
found but one or two places where tliey were annojying and 
but few where we noticed their presence. Roaches are no 
more prevalent than in other southern and in manv northern 
localities. 

POISONOUS SNAKES 

Are a great bugbear with manv, but in constant tra\-e]s 
over all kinds of land and at all hours both of day and night, 
we have yet to see the first rattlesnake, either dead or alive, 
and but two or ihree m')ccasins, and they were in so great a 
hurr^• to get away that we did not have a chance to kill them. 
They only inhabit damp localities. Of all kinds of snakes 
there are far less than in Massacliusetts or New York. ]\[r. 



rl6 



OR ANGEL AND. 



J. O. Fries, the U. S. Deputy Surveyor, who has probably 
traveled in the past ten years more rniles over the lands of 
Orange county than any other man, being constantlv emplov- 
ed in surveying, tells us that in his travels over all kinds of 
lands he has se.en but seven poisonous snakes, Probablv no 
active surveyor in the North, West or South can say the 
same. The tact is there are verv, verv few snakes on the 
haWitable lands of Orange county.' 

CHIEF PRODUCTS. 

The great absorbing industrv of Orange count v is the 
growing of groves of orange and other citrus fruit trees, the 
lands and climate being peculiarly adapted to the production 
of these luscious 'fruits, the "golden apples of the Hesperides." 
Several thousands of acres have been cleared of their forest 
growths and set with orange trees and other citrus fruits and 
at the present rate of progress, but verv few years will elapse 
before the entire available surface of tlie county will be cov- 
ered with these stately evergreens, a broad expanse of bridal 
blossoms, or laden with millions and millions of the most 
delicious fruit that here attains its greatest perfection, nourish- 
<id by the genial sun and unharmed by frost. Without exag- 
geration, or invidious discrimination, it may be justly said 
that Orange countv is in a preeminent degree the especial 
home of the orange, and that no other section equals it in this 
regard, lor it has within its boundaries ever}- re'quired condi- 
tion of preeminently successful culture. 

Whv should oranuje o-rowino- be such a favorite pursuit r 
>ocause a tew years of care and labor and a small invest- 
ment secures to the possessor of even a small grove a sure 
support, a competence for himself and his children after him 
imd their descendants for several generations. Because the 
x:are of a grove is one of the most pleasant and healthtiil of 
occupations. Little hard, severe, labor is required after the 
ground is once properh^ cleared and prepared, and yet there 
is sufficient to keep all'the faculties of both mind and body in 
vigorous and harmonious activity. 

We might give manv examples of men who, with little or 
no mone}' have raised groves that give them an ample sup- 
port and are making them wealthv ; of men of means who 
have secured fortunes. These are matters of historv and 
orange culture is no longer an experiment but the chief busi- 
ness of Orange county. 

Besides oran<res, everv man who secures one or more 
acres m this unequalled section will plant, tor his own use at 
least, if not for market, lemons, limes, guavas, hgs, bananas. 



ORANGELAXD, 



grape fruit, shaddock, grape vines, Japan plums and persim- 
moTis, mulberry trees, apricots, citron, mango, paw-paw, su- 
gar appk, pomegranate, olive, prune, almond, date palm, 
j)ecun, and numerous other fruits. In some parts the peach, 
pear, and apple may be successfully cultivated. Blackber- 
ries and huckleberries flourish. Everv man should have a 
plat of pine apples, as they need but little if any protection. 
JK.\so strawberries, as the}' yield largeh'. bearing from De- 
cember to June a most luscious fruit. 

Guavas are very proliHc bearers, and as soon as canning 
factories become sufficiently numerous will be a source of 
great profit. Tliey are now very extensi\el\' used bv the 
residents, but are too perishable for present modes of ship- 
ment. With the completion of direct lines of railroad to the 
North, and the use of refrigerator cars, the\' can probabh' be 
shipped with great prorit. 

Pine Apples are a profitable crop on rich or well fertiliz- 
ed land, yielding at the rate of $500 to -t 1,000 per acre. 
They sometimes need a slight protection. 

The Grape is cultivated with great success, both soil and 
climate being peculiarly adapted to the \ine. Immense 
yields are reported. 

The Palma Christa, or Castor Oil Bean, grows flneh^ 
.speedilj^ becoming a tree of large size and vielding heavih\ 
The ground on which it is grown increases rapidly in fertili- 
ty. It readies twent\' to tiiirtv feet in height. It bears the 
tirst Tear. 

The Banana, though sensitive to Irost, is a. very profitable 
■crop, from one to two thousand dollars per acre income be- 
ing claimed. It requires rich land, grows from ten to twen- 
t}- teet high and bears in about eighteen months after setting. 
Xo famih- should fail to devote a good plat of land to this 
pleasant and nutritious fruit. 

The Fig is readily propagated from cuttings and fruits 
the second or third year. It grows luxuriantlv and requires 
but little care. It is wholesome and nutritious, rich and lus- 
cious and is generally much prized bv children. The tree, 
■or more properly bush, with cumbrous jointed limbs, grows 
to A considerable size and attains a great age. 

The Lemon is considered about as profitable as the 
•orange, but grows more bush\- and does not make as hand- 
.some a tree. Qiiite a number of improved varieties are be- 
ing grown. 

The Lime, like the lemon and guava. is more sensitive 
to the cold than jthe orange, and grows as a large shrub or 



l8 ORAXGELAND. 



bush, branching at the ground from the main trunk. It is a 
very desirable and profitable fruit. 

The Shaddock, with its half dozen varieties, one of 
which is the grape fruit, makes a tree resembling the orange 
and the stock is excellent for budding. The fruit is several 
times as large, with an acidulous, juicy, aromatic, and some- 
what bitter pulp. It is very desirable for home use though 
not vet grown for market. 

The Japan Plum and Persimmon are being introduc- 
ed to a considerable extent and give great satisfaction, the 
fruit being excellent and the trees ornamental as well as use- 
ful. 

The ]Mulberrv is considerably cultivated and is one ot 
the most satistactory of trees, growing with remarkable rapid- 
ity, forming an excellent shade and yielding a pleasant and 
wholesome fruit resembling the blackberry. There are a 
number of varieties, several of which should be secured at 
once by the new comer. Under favorable circvnustances they 
will attain a height of twent}' or more feet the second year. 

The tbregoing are the more important fruits most exten- 
si\'ely cultivated, but there are numerous others grown to ai 
limited extent and deserving of extended and general culture. 
Every lamily sliould have a lew of each kind for home use^ 
as the\- would afford much satisfaction. 

A(;ricl'i.tuuai. rKonicTs of oi^AxciE couxtv. 

Sweet potatoes in all their varieties may properly be 
mentioned first as thev seem to be indigenous to Florida. 
The "pioneer" raises them for the first crop on liis newly 
cleared land and gets from fifty to three hundred bushels per 
acre, according to the quality of the land and the season. 
A single sprout once secured and he need never be without 
•* seed.'" Every family has its potato patch or lield. 

Cow Peas, properh' a field bean, flourisli on almost 
any soil. There are man\' \-arietie>, some yielding in six- 
weeks alter planting, and a continuous supply can be hacH 
from early spring to December. The\- are largely used both 
as snap and as shell beans and somewhat in the dry state. 
Fowls are \erv fond of them and the stems and k-aves are 
eaten with avidity by cattle, both when green and when 
cured for hay. The}- yield a heavy crop. 

Indian Corn is grown to some extent but less and less as; 
orange culture increases, that and market gardening being- 
so much-more profitable. The yield on common pine land is 
ten to fifteen bushels per acre and double that on hammock. 



ORAXGELAND. 1 9 



but the yield migiit be larg'ely increased b}' judicious tertili- 
zatiou. 

Sugar Cane is cultix'ated quite extensi\'elv on both pine 
and hammock land, and is a profitable crop. Once set out 
it rattoons and yields tor several years without replanting. 

Long" Staple Cotton does well in nearly every part of the 
county on both pine and hammock lands, and is of excellent 
quality and tinds a ready cash market. 

Rice grows readih', the soil being as fax'orable for its 
culture as an\' in Georgia or Carolina. It is an excellent 
and desirable crop. 

Tobacco is well adapted to Orange comity and can be 
cut se\'eral times the same season. 

Arrowroot and Cassa\'a yield abundant re::urns and make 
excellent tbod f )r the table, and also, tor horses, cattle and 
other domestic arimals. They are the greatest starch pr(j- 
ducers known. Hon. J. G. Sinclair lias a mill lor its manu- 
tacture near Orlando, and others will doubtless soon be erect- 
ed in different parts of the county. The product is enormous. 
Sisal Hemp, or Florida Jute, is indigenous to the soil and 
ma}' be made a profitable industry. 

The Pea Nut, or Pinder, thrives on ordinar\- land, re- 
quires but little culti\'ation and ^'ields one hundred or more 
bushels per acre. 

Chutas. another variety of ground nut, give large returns. 
They are chiefly grown tor the fattening of swine, the ani- 
mals doing their own harvesting. 

Fibrous Plants generally can be produced with great 
success, both soil and climate appearing to be especially 
adapted to their luxuriant growth. 

Oats, especialh' the rust proof x'arieties, gi\'e fair returns, 
but as yet are not largeh' culti\'ated. 

Rye, Millet, etc.. make excellent foi'age crops and will 
soon, no doubt, be cultix'ated quite extensi\el\'. 



GRASSES, 



The whole countr\' is co\'ered with nati\'e grasses : high- 
lands and lowlands, pine, hammock, prairie and sa\-anna. 
Most of them, however, are rather coarse and wiry when fulh' 
grown. Hence has been adopted the pernicious and destruc- 
tive custom of burning over the lands e\'ery wiiiter that the- 
cattle might secure green and tender herbage. Jjut the fire 
fiend is doomed and public sentiment and law will sooi] com- 
pel him to cease his ravages. lie and the "' pine rooter " 
will doubtless "vamoose" together. 

The Bermuda grass is being introduced w itli great sue- 



20 OR ANGEL AND. 



cess, and all can have a grassy plat about their houses and 
green velvetv walks. It also makes excellent teed tor 
cattle and is much prized. The Johnson, or Guinea grass, 
also thrives well. Experiments now in progress will soon de- 
termine the best grasses to be cultivated in Orange county 
and a few vears will vmquestionably develop tine fields of' 
forage. 

MELONS, SQLI ASHES, ETC. 

Soil and cliixiate seem especially adapted to this class of 
products. Thev grow to large size and are of excellent qual- 
ity. 

(GARDEN VE(;ETABLES. 

The quantitv and varietv of all kinds of garden vegeta- 
bles that thrive in both the Northern and Southern States is 
here onlv limited bv the desire and ambition of the cultiva- 
tor, and the^■ can be plucked tresh every month in the year. 
Beans, peas, turnips, beets, carrots, parsnips, cabbage, cauli- 
flower, celerv, okra. egg plant, collards, Irish and sweet 
potatoes, melons, cucumbers, sqiuishes, tomatoes and other 
vegetables too numerous to mention. 

(GARDENS. 

The garden is planted at two special seasons, the early 
autumn and the earh' spring, but the whole range of vegeta- 
bles is duplicated throughout the entire year, for a succession, 
though some plants do better at certain seasons than others. 
What to plant, when to plant, and how to cultivate and care 
for them must be learned b\' experience and observation ot 
what the residents do to achieve success. The conditions are 
ditlerent from those in other states, and he who would be 
successful must intelligentlv ada]:)t himseH" to circumstances. 
The experience of practical cultivators has not as yet been 
reduced to writing and compiled in a book, but the local 
newspapers are replete with many interesting experiences 
and in a few vears some capable writer will doubtless pub- 
lish a manual on P'ruit and W^getable Culture in the Orange 
Belt, the conditions iiere being materially ditferent from those 
not onlv in other parts of the country but also in other parts 
of Florida. Tiiis central zone has conditions peculiar to 
itself, and he who desires success will heed them, learning 
bv observation and experiment. The two prime conditions 
are an unstinted supph- of tertilizer and of water. The in- 
tensive system of cultivation should be adopted. With that 
none need tail. At present less attention is given to gardens 
than at the Xortli, the energies of the people being expended 



ORANGELAND. 21 



on their groves, but this condition is fast being remedied. 
Every famil}^ can and should have a magnilicent garden with 
fresh fruit and vegetables every week in the ^ear. Soil and 
climate afford the conditions necessarv to success. Feed the 
soil and care for the plants and a bountiful crop is assured to 
a mathematical certainty. 

SWINE. 

Swine do well and everv familv can raise their own meat 
with very little trouble. Until recenth' the woods were full 
of them, but they are fast disappearing as the land is settled, 
the conditions proving unfavorable, but their place is better 
supplied with choice, home kept breeds. 

SHEEP AND GOATS. 

These animals do Well here, but as vet, very little atten- 
tion has been given them. 

CATTLE. 

All kinds of live stock thrive, good pasturage being 
afforded throughout the whole year. By attention to the 
growing of alternate forage crops everv familv can have milk 
and butter at all times, whether living near a natural range 
or otherwise. 

HORSES AND MULES. 

The native horses are very hardy animals, but the im- 
ported need a few months of easv work to become acclimated. 
Much of the teaming, plowing, etc., is done hv mules. 

POULTRY. 

Orange county is par excellence the home ot the poultry 
raiser. Chickens can be readily hatched and will thrive at 
all seasons of the ^'ear. Large quantities ot eggs and hne 
fowls are easil}' produced in great abundance and at a com- 
parativelv trifling expense, while the demand is always very 
active and excellent prices are secured. Qiiick returns and 
h'andsome profits are assured. 

GAME, FISH, KTC. 

But a few short years ago and game was very abundant, 
but it is fast disappearing w^h the unprecedented rapid settle- 
ment of the count}^ Deer were plentiful as well as smaller 
game. Now deer and bear are found but occasionall}- near 
the settlements. Qiiail are quite plentiful, also ducks in the 
winter months. Cat and fox squirrels are quite numerous in 
some localities : coon, opossum and hares are also abundant. 
At rare intervals a wild cat or panther is the hunter's trophy. 



22 ORANGELAND. 



Now and then the bark of a grev fox is heard and he is oc- 
casionalh' treed b\' the dog-s. There are also a \'arietv of 
birds ; \vild turke3's, heron of several varieties, and other 
water birds, some with beautiful plumage. In winter espec- 
ialh' the fields and forests are alive with birds of kinds 
too numerous to mention, that furnish excellent sport for the 
huntsman. 

The lakes and streams are well stocked with lish. hard 
and soft shelled turtle, etc.. but their food supply is so abun- 
dant that thev are not over anxious to be taken with the 
hook. The skillful fisherman, however, rarely goes unre- 
warded. Otter inhabit the streams and "gators are seen 
occasionallv but are rapidh* diminishing in numbers. 

REASONS VOK PKEFERRINCJ TO LOCATE IN ORANGE COl'NTV. 

1. It is below the line of destructive frosts. 

2. It is the healthiest part of the healthful state of Florida. 

3. It is more free Irom insect pests than any other part 
of the state, and as free as most parts of the Union. 

4. The water in most parts of the county cannot be sur- 
passed for puritv and healthfulness and is better than in 
most localities. 

5. It has a greater variety ot soil and more choice and 
desirable locations than any other part of the State. 

6! It preeminently abounds in beautiful lakes well 
stocked with lish, turtle, etc. 

7. It is situated in the central portion of the peninsula, 
which is the narrowest part and the highest, thus giving it 
the purest and freshest breezes from both ocean and gulf, 
tempered and improved by tiltration through the balsamic 
pine forests on either side. 

8. It lies midway between the natural track of storms 
and tornadoes, and consequently is not subject to as frequent 
or severe storms as other parts of the country. 

9. It is the natural physical center of the Orange l^elt, 
and this luscious golden fruit here attains a perfection that is 
unequalled elsewhere, both tree and fruit. 

10. Its climatic conditions and diversitx' of soil are sucii 
that a greater variety of fruits and vegetables can be grown 
in Orange county than in any other section of the country, if 
not of tiic globe. 

1 I . Without derogation of other localities, it mav 
truthfully be asserted that Orange county has a more wide 
awake, enterprising, moral, highly cultured, well-to-do pop- 
ulation tiian anv other county. 

12. It is increasing faster in population, wealth, new 



ORANGELAND. 



villages, cultivated fields, populous centers, enterprising mer- 
chants, etc., and in fact in all the elements and privileges 
that constitute modern civilization than any other section. 

13. Nowhere can one secure a competence in so short a 
time, with the endurance of so few hardships, and wath so 
little deprivation of the privileges to which he or she has been 
accustomed as in Orange county. 

14. Its climate is the most delicious and healthful that 
the known world affords. The days are pleasant, charming, 
delightful, and the nights are cool, tranquil, and refreshing. 
The temperatiu-e is not subject to sudden changes, yet there 
is sufficient \ariety to keep the physical and mental powers 
healthfully attuned to energetic action, and prexent that feel- 
ing of languor and lassitude so common where the thermo- 
metric changes are less and un\•ar^•ing, as in some tropical 
islands. 

WHO SHOULD NOT COME TO ORAXGE COUNTY. 

1. Neither those who are perfectly contented where 
thev are, nor those who are always dissatisfied. 

2. Neither lazy people, dishonest people, nor grumblers 
nor growlers are wanted. The countr}- is tast settling up 
wath a very different class and they would not acclimatize 
readily. 

3. Those who cannot leave old acquaintances and old 
associations, Ibrm new and adapt themselves to changed con- 
ditions should stay where they are. At any rate they should 
not come to Orange county. 

4. Those who do not like warm weather, and to whom 
chilly winds, frost, ice and snow are a special delight, should 
stay away. Such luxuries Orange county does not afford. 

5. Those who must live among rocks and hills, turbu- 
lent streams, and icy mountains should seek some other lo- 
cality. 

6. Those who expect to secure fortunes without labor; 
those w^ho are content only in large cities, and those who are 
unwilling to endure some present discomfort to realize their 
ambitions for the future, should stay away. Orange county 
is no place for such. 

7. Those who desire to engage in general farming as 
practiced at the North and West should stay there. This is 
a fruit and vegetable country. 

8. Those who cannot be content unless doing heavy 
work and toiling from daylight to dark in mud or slush, or in 
snow' or ice, should not come to Orange county for the con- 
ditions here are the opposite. The regular work is mostly 



24 OKANGELAND. 



light and requires the exercise of brain quite as much, if not 
more, than muscle. 

WHO SHOULD COME TO ORANGE COUNTY. 

1 . Those who can adapt themselves to changed condi- 
tions, can make new acquaintances and tbrm new associa- 
tions to take the place of the old and will strive to do their 
best whatever the circumstances in which they are placed. 

2. Those who prefer a mild climate, pure air, bright 
sunny days and pleasant weather generally, instead of chilly 
winds and storms of sleet and snow. 

3. Those who desire to better their condition : those 
willing to labor and to wait ; those who prefer to secure a 
'arge income from a small piece of ground, rathtn- than to 
cultivate many acres for a small income. 

4. In brief, those who have eyes with which the\- see, 
ears with which they hear, and understandings that enable 
them to perceive and improve some of the many opportuni- 
ties and advantages that are afforded liere, such cannot fail 
to do well by coming to Orange count\', as thousands of 
others hnve done and are doing. 

5. To all predisposed to or suffering from pulmonary 
consumption, asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, hay fever, inflam- 
ator}' rheumatism, malaria, and like diseases. Orange county 
offers a city of refuge and restoration. 

6. Those who desire their children to escape maav of 
the ills incident to childhood, and to grow up strong- and 
hcalthtlil will find tliat Orange county offers many advan- 
tages. Diphtheria, croup, cholera infantum, scarlet fever anc^i 
malignant fevers generalh', as well as se\-eral other diseases 
are unknown here. 

PROGRESS OF OKAi\C;E COUNTY, 

The rapidity and the substantial character of the settle- 
ment and the development of this favored C()unt^' is truly mar- 
velous, and its advancement is progressing in a geometrical 
ratio. With a population of 73 in 1840, of 466 in 1850, of 
987 in i860, and in 1870 of only 2,195, with no manufactories, 
nor hardl\- a store worthy the name, with ^'irtuallv no orange- 
groves, with no newspapers, no schools, no churches, and 
unknown to the world, it is now the most enterprising and 
rapidly developing section oi the State, and probably is not 
excelled, if equalled, by an\- localit}' in America, and it bids 
fair to be the most wealth\' and prosperous as well as the* 
most healthful area on the globe. 

The j')opulation in 1880 had increased to 6,190, and is. 
now estimated to be at h.-ast 15,000, with strong reasons f<tr 



ORANGELAND, 2^ 



expecting it will gain several thousands the present season. 
The taxable property in 187 1, as shown by the assessor's 
books, was $480,611. In 1880 it hiitcl increased to $1,394.- 
141 : in 1881 to $1,71 1,174 ; in 1882 to $2,338,764, and in 1883, 
tt> •^3. 379^824, the increase in three years being $1,985,683,. 
and it has gained many thousands since the assessment, the 
increase being nearly two millions in three 3^ears. It now 
has seven handsome and ablv edited newspapers with a possi- 
bility of several more the coming season. The public schools 
now number eight\-nine and quickened attention is being 
gi\en to education. Churches have been built in all the- 
more prominent localities and regular services are held by all. 
the leading denominations, the school houses being used in 
the less developed localities. Stores have multiplied and in- 
creased all over the county, and they are well stocked with 
choice assortments of goods. Prices are very reasonable. 
Postothces too, forty-two in number, are conveniently located 
and frequent mails keep the people in close communication 
with other parts of the world. There are also several well 
managed railroad lines and others are being rapidly con- 
structed. Also, several lines of telegraph, and the telephone 
is not a stranger. The hum of the saw is heard and num.er- 
ous steam mills are running day and night, unable to keep 
pace with the demand for lumber, for new houses and other 
buildings are springing up as if by magic all over the county. 
Roads have been laid out in every direction, good substan- 
tial bridges have been built, and everything betokens an 
active era of increasing prosperity. New clearings are 
al^iost numberless, and orange, lemon, lime and guava 
groves and pine apple orchards may be counted by thousands. 
Manufactories of various kinds are also being erected. Ex- 
cellent hotels are numerous, also private boarding houses, 
and on every hand are unmistakable evidences of prosperity. 

FINANCIAL STATUS. 

By reference to the books ol the Count^' Recorder we 
tind that the real estate transactions from January ist to July 
1st, 1883, aggregate $984,240, which gives a slight idea oi: 
the activity of real estate. A large part has been purchased 
by people from other sections who are making homes in 
Orange county. Those who sell do not leave the county but 
reinvesl in other lands, or devote the amounts received to the 
improvement of their remaining acres. This in part accounts 
for the increase of over one million dollars of taxable proper- 
t}' the past year. New clearings, new houses, and new 
groves are to be seen in all parts of the county. 



26 ORANGELAND. 



The following" figures will giNe a fair idea of the prosper- 
ous and healthful financial condition of this section. It is 
taken from the County Auditor's report to the Grand Jur\- at 
the last term of Court, and we are assured substantialh' ex- 
presses the present condition of the treasury. It must also 
he borne in mind that not onl}* is the count}' free of debt, 
•with this surplus in the treasury for the present year's ex- 
penses, but that it also has the county tax of .156,444 in addi- 
tion, that will be collected during the nexl three months, to 
he applied to regular expenses and to tlie de\elopment of the 
county. 

Too much praise cannot be accorded our able and efii- 
-cient Board of County Commissioners for their wise and lar- 
Lsighted action in keeping the County's affairs abreast of the 
needs of the times, and they have very sensibh' builded wisely 
for the future while giving proper attention to present needs. 
Their aim has been to develop the Count}', and its present 
Avonderful prosperity shows how well they have done their 
work. The rate of taxation has averaged about fifteen mills, 
and is sixteen this year on a low valuation, but the new roads, 
the substantial bridges, the improvements on public buildings, 
the liberal and fostering care of public schools, "etc., show 
Ihat the money has been well and judiciously expended. 

The financial record reads as follows : 

GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT. 

l^ue the Fund by the Treasurer, _ _ _ .f 749.49 

" " "'• Collector, _ - - - 2,442.35 

" " State _ - - - 50.63 



Total due the Fund ----- ^3,242.47 
Warrants Outstanding, ----- 2,043.95 



l)alance unexpended, _ _ - _ $1,198.52 



COUNTV BIHEDING FUND. 



Due the Fund by the Treasurer, - - - >}!2.409.75 

Collector _ _ - 1,264.66 

" " State, - _ - - 50.82 



Total due the Fund, ----- .$3, 725. 23 
'\'^^arrants outstanding, ----- 546.36 



Balance unexpended, _ _ - - .*i;3, 178.87 



ORANGELANU. 21 



SCHOOL FUND ACCOUNT. 



Due by Treasurer, ----- $1,697.00 

'' Collector,' ------ 1,946.66 

" State ------- 76.27 



Total due the Fund, - _ - - .1'3,7i9.93 
Warrants outstandino-, - - - _ _ 501.94 

Balance imexpended, - - - - '^T^,2\'].gg 
There is also due the several Funds by the State, $1,- 
536.02 T. J. Shine, Auditor. 

The Countv is entirely out of debt, the policy being- to 
**pay as you go.'' ]^v summing up the unexpended balances 
we find the sum of $7o95-3^ o'"^ hand to meet current ex- 
penses, until the assessment of $56,444 taxes is collected. 

In 1883, there will be expended on roads $3,380: for 
schools $13,519, in addition to the $3,380 recei^•ed from the 
State revenue from the one mill tax. and the numerous private 
.subscriptions, which amount is annually increasing. 

GENERAL TEMr]-:RATUl<E. 

Man^' people have ignorantlv had the idea that though 
the climate during the winter months is delighttul it must be 
oppressively hot in summer ; but this is a mistake. Many of 
the residents consider the summers even more enjoyable than 
the winters, and our own experience convinces us that the 
summer months are more agreeable here than in any other 
part of the Union. It is also the season when work is not 
pressing and opportunities are aflbrded tor agreeable leisure. 
The air is rarely, or never, sultry, and the only requirement 
for a cool, enjoyable place is to get in the shade. Every day 
turnishes a quantum of cool, delicious breezes tVom Ocean or 
Gulf. , The air, too, is less humid, most of the \ear than in 
the famous dry climate of Minnesota. The thermometer 
never indicates as high a temperature in summer nor as low 
in winter as in any of the other states, and jierson,'-; can live 
out of doors comfortabh' the year around. In fact, some now 
wealthy were too poor when they hrst came here to build 
houses, and lived in tents. Yet a good house, though not as 
necessary, is as enjoyable here as elsewhere. It should have 
broad halls and wide piazzas festooned with the tiowering 
vines and beautiful plants that here grow luxuriantly the year 
round. Every one can easily have an abode of beauty if 
taste and inclination so dictate. 

Tables of thermometric temperature might be given, but 
no just idea of the heat that is fc// can be gained from them, 



28 ORANGELAND. 



the pure fresh air counteracting^ the depressing effects of higliu 
temperature that, oppressive elsewhere, is delicious and en- 
joyable here. 

To satisfy the incredulous, we give a summary of thci- 
weather for the summer of 1883, the hottest summer for vears, 
as shown bv the records of the U. S. Signal Office, at San- 
ford, Florida. As regards the winters, every one knows that 
they are the most delicious possible, and especially favorable 
for invalids. 

AVERAGE TEMPERATURE. 

1883.— June,S0.5 .July, 83.5 August, 80.9. 

For the three summer months, 81.(5 

MAX. TEM. MIN.TEM. 

.June 98.0 I .June 71.0 

July 99.4 July 70.0 

August iK5.9 I August (59,0 

MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY. 

June, 78.7 July, 72.7 August, 77.1 

Point uftotiil .<iituriition 1(J0. 

TOTAL RAINFALL. 
June, 8.57 inches July, 3.11 inches Aufru^'t, 15.74 inches 

PREVAILING DIRECTION O'F WIND. 
June, Southwest July, Southwest August, Southeast 



A FEW FACTS AND REFLECTIONS. 

Though the highest average summer temperature is onl\: 
83 degrees and the very highest anv day of summer but 
99.4 degrees, quite a number of degrees less than at the 
North and West and other parts of the country, yet the win- 
ter temperature is even more favorable and congenial, very 
rarel}' going below 40 degrees. Once, and once only last 
winter was it as low as 23 degrees, or below 40 degrees at 
our residence, and very thin ice formed in some places. ]^ut 
none of the citrus fruits or even the tender guavas were in- 
jured in the least, though it somewhat dainaged the pine 
apples in exposed localities where unprotected. The sensi- 
tive pepper trees, however, endured the three or four light 
frosts without harm and bear bountifully the {■)resent ^•ear. 
So generous is Orange count}'"s lakt* ]:»rotection that the lew 
occasional light frosts, that occur some \'ears, are less de- 
structive here than in localities manv miles to the southward. 
The physical conformation of the country is, also, verv ad- 
x'antageous in this respect. The absence of mud and dust 
should also be especially noted. It is a surprise to all. 

Men — white men — can and do work at all hours of the 
day, and every secular day in the year,, at their ordinarv 
avocations, and that, too, with les.r discomfort than in an\' 
other part of the Union. One can accomplish much more 
here than elsewhere, for he has more favorable (bus and 
hours lor work and does not have to overtax his svstem b\' 



ORANGELAND. 



29 



severe labor during the hottest months, the busiest time be- 
ing in the cooler season. The nights, too, are so pleasantly 
■cool and delicious that everyone is able to secure sweet and 
'petVeshing sleep every night and thus fortitV the svstem lor 
the trials and duties of each succeeding day. The mornings 
rthe most of the vear are like those delicious June mornings 
at the North, when all nature seems atune and instinct with 
'jovous life. Mornings such as one remembers even in his 
'dreams. No hot, sultry, stifling nights when one pants and 
gasps for a breath of fresh air, but pure, cool, healthful and 
•delicious mornings. The midday heats ot summer are in- 
tense when exposed to the direct ravs of the sun and perspi- 
iration flows profusely-, but get in a shade, either natural or 
artiticial, and a delicious sense of coolness is felt at once. 
But nature provides this shade at oft recurring intervals, and 
such a thing as an entirely cloudless day is almost unknown. 

As Old Sol pours down his almost tropical heat in the 
mid hours of the mid-summer da\s', evaporation from Ocean 
and Gulf and the man}' lakes and ri\'ers is verv active, and 
the heavens are soon overcast with clouds that flittinix hither 
and thither interpose a quenching shield to Appollo's fiery 
■darts, and the genial breezes from old Ocean's broad ex- 
panse bear away the excessive caloric. Then, too. oft on 
summer afternoons the powers of tlie air engage in strife, the 
forked lightnings play, the thunders roll, and a delicious rain- 
fall cools the super-heated atmosphere and refreshes all ^■eg- 
■etable as well as animal life. The rain comes at the season 
nvhen most needed and vegetation thri\es at a wonderlul 
pace. No clouds of dust are seen en\'eloping tlie weary 
traveler and making life a biuxlen. as in most other parts of 
ithe Union. 

Orange county is a white man's countr^■ and there are 
fewer negroes here than in otlier parts of the South. The 
%\'hite man here can do his own work, ^\■hatever it ma\' be, 
Avithout the aid of the 14th Amendment, or any other assist- 
ance -except the amendment engrafted in his own constitu- 
tion bv right habits and the delicious climate of Orange 
■count}'. It has nowhere a peer, and as its wondertul virtues 
b)ecome more widely and more thoroughl}- known, those 
desiring to enjov life in its best conditions, and those sufler- 
ing from the fell power of disease, will here And the fountains 
of jovous health and superabundant life in its best and choicest 
conditions, in both winter and summer. Its people will be 
the most wealth3% independent, happy, intelligent and culti- 
vated of any on the tace of the habitable globe. Its whole 
.area will be a perfect garden thickl}- dotted with happy 



ORAXGELAND. 



homes, embowered amid delicious groves of the choicest 
fruits and beautitied by superabundant flowers that bhjom all 
tlie year. 

the: death katI-:. 

The death rate in Florida as compared with Itah" is as 3; 
to 5, the rate per thousand bein^- 11.72 in Florida to' 19.98 in 
Italy. But this estimate includes the whole State, whereas 
in Orange county alone the death rate is but 5.4. and in that 
wonderfulh' low rate are included numbers of invalids who 
come here too enteebled for their systems to respond to the 
enequalled curative effects of the delightful climate. Tliis is 
the most healthful section of a very "healthy State. 

As regards malarial diseases the number of cases ot~ 
deaths, as shown by the records of the United States army, 
is in Florida but one to 287 cases, while in the Southern Mil- 
itary Di\-ision it is one to. 54, in the Northern one to 52, and 
in the ]\Iiddle one to "^6. Yet Orange county is twice as; 
healthful as the State at large. 

i;OLCATIONAL FACILITIES AND PROGRESS. 

Though Orange count\' is young in years it is not behind- 
other localities in educational interests and progress in im- 
proved educational facilities. 

The flrst Board of Education in this county was organ- 
ized December 11. 1869, and the second meeting was held 
]\Ia\' 27, 187 1, when there were six public schools with 150 
pupils. In 1875 the schools had increased to seventeen : in 
1877 to twenty-six, in 1879 ^" forty-two, and in 1880 t(^i tiftv- 
two, with 3.-64 pupils: in 1882 to seA'enty-eig~ht, with 3.718. 
pupils. IJuring the present year, 1883, additional schools- 
liave been established, making the present number eighty- 
nine, six of which are for colored pupils. ^Nlore schools will 
doubtless be established the present season, the laws of Flor- 
ida and the feeling of the Board of Education being vei">' 
favorable toward supph'ing all needs. As is seen hv the 
great progress of the past twelve years, their aim is to keep 
the educational interests well abreast of the ccnintry's material 
development, and the next decade will undoubtedly witness, 
a development in an accelerating ratio. Higher grades ot 
schools will l)e established and increased (jualirications be 
demanded ot teachers. In tact, the citizens generall}' are 
becoming ali\e to the imp(jrtance of a better education for 
their children, for rapid prcjgress and ad\-ancement is the 
motto of Orange county. 

In Orlando, a non-sectarian Uni\-ersit\- under the auspi- 
ces of the M. E. Church, is opened in a beautiful building 



ORAXGELAXD. 



with a full corps of teachers selected from various denomina- 
tions, and it is proposed to make it an educational institution 
of tlie highest order, preparing such pupils as may desire tor 
a college course. It will also atibrd instruction in music and 
in art. 

COST OF AN ORANGE GRO\'E. 

First is the cost of the land, which depends on the loca- 
tion and the views of the owner. Of course the nearer a 
populous center the higher the price, but it will be from .ti.2s 
an acre (very scarce) to lOO times that amount ; average trom 
$15 to $50. "The south, or southeast side of a lake is very 
decidedlv preferable. Clearing of trees and grubbing out 
roots costs Irom .^12 to $30 per acre. Plowing .^3 ; cost ol 
trees and setting trom 25 cents to $1 each. Trees bring^ 
double what they did two years ago, so great is the demand. 
Care of a grove and fertilizer is from $25 to $50 per acre. 
The higher price with the better man in charge is the best 
investment. About hfty trees should be set to the acre, lor 
permanency, but a better show, temporarily, is obtained by 
.setting one-half the distance apart, but we do not advise it. 
As a general rule each tree should have one dollar's worth ot 
fertilizer and labor applied to it each year until it comes into 
bearing, say six 3-ears. Alter that one-fourth to one-hfth ol 
the proceeds of the grove should be applied to it to keep it in 
vigorous condition. These are only general average esti- 
mates and may be varied bv especial conditions. However, 
the growing of a producti\e grove of the citrus family is as 
much a inatter of mathematical certainty as the raising ol a 
herd of cattle or a drove of hogs. The first requirement is 
good stock and proper quarters ; the second intelligent care 
and a sufficient amount of appropriate tbod. IMants as well 
as animals must be properlv fed and cared lor. xVtter six 
years the grove properlv fertilized and cared for, will more 
than repa\' the expense, and after ten years will \ield a 
handsome inccjme. Some of the trees will yield live hundred., 
some a thousand, and some two thousand or more. Call the 
average 1,000 per tree and the ^•ield is 50,000 per acre. 
This at the average price on the tree, -t 15.00 per jM. is -^750 
per acre, and as the trees grow older the amount will annu- 
allv increase. In orange ""rowing there is ver\- much less 
danger of loss from disease and unpropitious chmatic conth- 
tions than in the raising of live stock. The average price is 
also more sure and- less liable to fluctuation. The growing 
of a grove is, also, the most pleasant possible of occupations, 
both physical and mental powers being called into pleasant 



ORANGELAND. 



and healthful activity. Other crops can also be grown on 
the same ground the first few years. In short, an outlay of 
a dollar a year for from six to ten years, gives a tree that 
will yield an income of ten to thirty dollars per 3-ear and 
steadily increasing;. 

REI.IGIOUS INTERESTS. 

All denominations, especialh' the Baptists, INIethodists. 
Presbyterians and Episcopalians, are very active and church 
and Sunday school services are held in all parts of the coun- 
tv. All tiie important centers have church buildings, others 
iire building, and the school houses are utilized in other lo- 
calities. No fear ])ut Orange county will be a land of 
churches, literary and other societies, as well as the locality 
for loveh' and happy homes. 

POLITICS. 

This is a great "bug-bear'' with manv wIkj do not un- 
derstand the situation, ^"irtually there is no politics here as 
supposed at the north. The people are too busy in their race 
to be millionaires to de\ote their time to politics, and one 
rarely hears it mentioned in con\'ersation. B3' force of habit 
about election time the papers have a series of articles more 
or less virulent and some of the local orators endeavor to 
enthuse. I^lection da^- comes and passes otY quietly, but 
man}' of the citizens take too little interest in the matter to go 
to tlie polls and the democrats score a few hundred majority, 
though there are undoubtedly nearh' as many republicans as 
democrats in the coimty. Our experience here satisfies us 
that there is e\-en less coercion and intimidation here than in 
most other parts of the countr\-. The question here is not 
"•what is a man's politics?" but, hcnv large a gr()\-e has he, 
and how is it progressing? 



ORANGELAND. 33 



ST. JOHNS & LAKE EUSTIS RAILWAY. 
The only line touching Lakes Eustis, Dora, Harris, Yale, 
Griffin and soon to reach Apopka, which makes it the Great 
Lake Region Line of Florida, connecting daily with all 
steamers of the People's Line and De Bar^-Ba^a Merchant's 
Line on the St. Johns River, via Astor, to and from 

Bryanville, SuxMMit, Ravenswood, 

Altoona, Glendale, Umatilla, 

Fort Mason, Eustis, Mount Homer, 

Tavares, Lane Park, 

thence by Lake Steamer to Astatula, Yalaha, Bloom- 
field, Helena, Cooley Island, and Leesburg. 

Branch road to Orange Bend, and will soon be extended 
to Leesburg. 

Accommodations complete. Hotels at Astor, Ravens- 
wood, Altoona, Fort Mason, Eustis, Tavares, Astatula, 
Yalaha and Leesburg. From Summit to Fort Mason the 
lands are high and rolling, with clear water lakes thickly 
scattered along the line of road, which for beauty cannot be 
surpassed by any of their kind in the State. 

For particulars relative to railroad lands, or other infor- 
mation, apply at the General Office at Fort Mason. 

W. J. Jarvis,' W. H. Treadwell, 

Superintendent. G. F. & P. Agt. 



34 ORAXGELAND. 



ACRON. 

This settlement occupies a pleasant tract of rolling, high 
pine land in township 22 south, ranges 27 and 28 east, and 
contains about 60,000 acres, almost surrounded by beautiful 
lakes and streams of running water, Alexander Spring river 
on the northern boundary being large enough for navigation. 
It has its source in a tine spring about 75 vards across and 
35 feet deep, the height of the water varying but little in 
either wet or dry seasons. The stream enters the St. John's 
about two miles above Bluffton. The settlement is nine and 
one-half miles due west of Hawkinsville and live east of the 
St. Johns, (Astor) & Lake Eustis railroad. It is on the line 
of the proposed Jacksonville, Tampa & Key West railroad. 

Acron dates from the autumn of 1876, when J. H. 
Campbell, Esq., one of our present efficient board of count}' 
commissioners, and a few friends from Rock Island county, 
111., settled there and commenced improvements. It now 
has tifty-tive families and single men living on their places, 
and 61 groves owned by non residents. Each grove will 
average 500 trees, 40 per cent of which are fruiting. . It has 
a postoffice and a tri-weekly mail, a good school building 
and public school with about 35 pupils : preaching two Sun- 
days in the month by a Methodist preacher and once by a 
Presbyterian. The society is sociable, peaceable and law- 
abiding. They have a steam saw mill with first-class ma- 
chiner^• for dressing lumber. Rough lumber sells for .$12 
per M. The water is sweet, clear and pure and obtained at 
a depth of 10 to 65 feet. There is probabh' no more health- 
tul location in the world, persons who with their families 
have lived there the past eight years never ha\ing had oc- 
casion for the services of a physician. The land is consider- 
ed rirst-class pine and can be bought at -tio to .^15 per acre. 
A country store with a capital of $1,500 to .t2.ooo would do 
well there. 

Oranges, lemons, limes, guavas, Japan plums and per- 
simmons, pine apples, tigs, Le Conte pears, grapes, straw- 
berries, mulberries, wild plums, peaches, etc., are success- 
fulh- raised there, and corn, sugar cane, oats, rye, Irish and 
sweet potatoes, and all kinds ot garden truck and vegetables 
are grown for home use. 

For further particulars address the postmaster at Acron, 
who, though not a land agent, yet feels an interest in the de- 
velopment otthis tair country in general and his own localit}' 
in particular. 



ORANGELAXU. 



35 



ALTOONA AND VICINITY. 

Altoonu is located on the St. Johns & Lake Eustis Rail- 
road, i8 miles trom Astor on the St. Johns, and 8 miles from 
Lake Eustis. The town is built upon rolling land but recent- 
ly covered with a heavy growth ot'pine. It is no feet above 
the St. Johns river and 60 feet above Lake Eustis. The 
streets are laid oft' parallel with the rail road on both sides, 
and the. corporate limits are washed bv the waters of Lakes 
Minneola, King, Pearl, Daisy, Ouida, and Linn, all beauti- 
ful clear water lakes well stocked with Hsh. 

Two years ago there was not more than half a dozen 
lamilies in this neighborhood, and a pine forest grew where 
now stands a thriving little town, which contains three gen- 
eral stores, one drug store, one jewelry sIkjji. one wagon and 
blacksmith shop, one saw and planing mill, one hotel and 
several boarding houses, one chvirch, one livery stable, and 
one weekly paper, "The Altoona Argus." Neat and taste- 
ful residences are being built, the streets and fronts cleared 
up, and in many wa3's the cross roads settlement is begin- 
ning to assume city airs. 

There is but one bearing gro\e in sight. This was 
planted by Mr. F. J. Hinson, and was sold by him about 
July loth to Mr. Rumph, of Arkansas, for ten thousand dol- 
lars. It covers ten acres, is hrst-class j'jine land, and can 
boast of one hundred trees under four ^■ears old now loaded 
with fruit. 

Experience has demonstrated that the best of our pine 
lands are, for many reasons, the most satisfactory orange 
lands, being easy to clear and cultivate, but any who prefer 
the richer hammock land can also be accommodated, as the 
hammocks of Nigger Town Creek are only from two to three 
miles distant, where bodies of rich land can be }et bought. 
In view of the fact that older settlements in the count^' have 
become better known, and more thickh- settled, more widely 
advertised, we do not say, "come and see the best corner of 
Orange," but we do sa\-, ''see it all before you purchase." 
Here you will hnd an industrious, energetic people and most 
of them " here for good," — not winter visitors — yow will find 
our lands tirst-rate and prices reasonable. Our section has 
wrought many wonderlul cures in consumptive cases, and 
many of our citizens have located here on account of such 
troubles, and in every instance have found relief. 

Come and sec us! 



36 ORANGELAND. 



UMATILLA. 

On the St. Johns & Lake Eustis R. R., twenty miles 
from Astor is UmatiUa Station. For miles in every direction, 
but particularly east and west, are fertile lands capable of 
producing corn, cotton and sugar cane, as well as sweet po- 
tatoes, cassava and arrow root and as suitable for the produc- 
tion of tropical fruit as any in South Florida, dotted and 
adorned with lakes, offering building sites of unsurpassed 
beauty. We invite investigation and challenge comparison 
with the most advertised locality in this section of our State. 
Until within two years our people have been self-supporting, 
relying almQst wholly upon farming, and large quantities of 
Sea Island cotton have been marketed at this point. Now 
land is being cleared and planted with orange trees, those 
now bearing giving satisfactory evidence of the certainty of 
success and we invite you to visit the famous McEwen grove 
and see for yourself how industr}- will supply the lack of 
capital and bring abundant reward. Within a few steps of 
the depot is the thriving grove of Mr. Trowell. It will re- 
ward you to visit it. The first settlement was made here 
twenty-two years ago. The population in two years has 
trebled and this has been purely because of our solid advan- 
tages in health, soil and production. We have not emploved 
agents or advertised. Vegetables have been largely grown 
with abundant profit. Orange, lemon and lime trees are 
health}' and vigorous, and the tender guava is now loaded 
with fruit. 

A good school with nearly 100 pupils, a Baptist church 
with 100 members, and Methodist and Presbyterian churches 
within easy distance are evidences of the peaceable, law 
abiding, moral status of our community. One store and an- 
other building afford all needed supply. A saw mill at the 
station is now offering lumber at .$10 per M. We also have 
a grist mill, and thus are ready to provide shelter and bread. 

Within a radius of three miles there are large quantities 
of hammock land for those who desire to embark in either 
fruit or vegetable growing, near depot and with quick trans- 
portation. These lands can be bought cheaply as compared 
with their value. 

This locality is noted for health, with lakes once seen, a 
Jhing of beauty, a joy forever. Lands are cheaper in price 
than in any other favorite locality. We invite investigation 
and settlement. We desire the advantages that larger popu- 
lations have over sparsely settled communities, and we desire 
that you shall have and enjoy, as we do, the more than com- 
fort of this deliirhtful reirion. 



ORANGELAND. 37 



FORT MASON. 

Fort Mason, situated on Lake Eustis, has been for three 
years the terminus of the St. Johns & Lake Eustis Raih-oad. 
It has two large general stores, kept by Chas. T. Smith & 
Co. and S. M. Owens & Co., and a large, new, well kept 
hotel. There is a large scope of good, cultivatable land 
within a short distance of this town, which is well suited to 
vegetable as well as orange growing, owing to the water 
protection of Lakes Eustis and Yale. The lands adjacent are 
better adapted than many places farther south. One of the 
greatest advantages this part of Orange county enjoys is its 
facilities for transporting freight. This winter and next 
spring fruit and vegetable growers will not only be able to 
ship their produce via the St. Johns & Lake Eustis Road to 
the St. Johns river, but will have connection with the North 
via the Florida Southern R. R. It would be well for persons 
who contemplate settling in Florida to examine in person, or 
by letter, this particular section of the State. There are ad- 
vantages to be secured by settlers here which are not found 
in any other locality. There is a large body of unimproved 
land which can be bought at fair prices and on good terms, 
which will quickly enhance in value. Instances can be given 
to show that early vegetables are being grown very profita- 
bly on Lakes Yale and Eustis, while the young orange 
groves are coming on. 

Fort Mason is in what is known as "The Lake Region" 
of South Florida, lying on Lake Eustis, which is a large and 
beautiful body of water, connected by steam boats with 
Lakes Harris, Griffin, Dora, Beauclair and Apopka, and 
having direct communication with the towns of Leesburg, 
Yalaha, Esperance, Helena, on Lake Harris, and Eustis and 
Tavares, both by rail and water. There is a tract of about 
2,000 acres, lying between Lakes Eustis and Yale, of high 
pine land through which the Orange Bend Branch of the St. 
Johns & Lake Eustis road runs, which could be bought in 
lots to suit purchasers of from ten acres upwards, which 
would make pretty and profitable homes for any persons 
wanting to engage in fruit and vegetable growing. This 
section of the country is as healthful as any in the State. 



ORANGEI.AXD. 



SENECA. 

This is a fast growing little town on the lake of the same 
name, situated live miles east from Eustis and about the 
same distance trom Ft. Mason, Mt. Dora and Sorrento. The 
section of country around Seneca is noted for its beautv and 
healthfulness, its entire freedom from malarial fever, and the 
fertility of the soil. The lands are high and rolling, no 
swamps, but many beautiful clear water lakes. For the 
growth of oranges and other citrus fruits, pine apples, etc., 
they are unsurpassed by any lands in the State. Most of our 
oldest citizens settled here after a careful canvass of all the 
sovithern counties, and the result of a few years cultivation of 
their groves has proven the wisdom of their choice. 

We have instances right here, proving that a man with 
small capital can start a Hve acre grove, and with judicious 
cultivation and the use of but little fertilizer, have it advance 
in value at the rate of .|i,ooo per annum until in full bearing. 
Mr. R. F. Finley came here seven years ago with but little 
means and no experience or knowledge of the business. He 
cleared his land, set out his trees, has cultivated them entire- 
ly with his own hands, and to-day his grove is cheap for 
$10,000. Mr. Bramhall, Mr. Cooper, j\Irs. Drawdv, jNIr. 
Kelly, and many others furnish like instances. ]NIr. Ely 
Cooper is our oldest settler. He came here twenty-tive vears 
ago, and settled near the east end of the lake. He has rear- 
ed and supported a large family — ten children — by ordinary 
farming, without even the aid of what was so common, the 
keeping of cattle. He did not turn his attention to orange 
growing as a business until about seven years ago, but had 
planted a few trees for his own use only. Some of these 
trees, now thirteen years old, have 2,000 oranges each. 

The large grove of 130 acres owned by the S. E. Orange 
Grove Co., of Washington, D. C, is located here. The 
land was selected by Cols. J. A. Macdonald and M.J. Tay- 
lor, gentlemen long resident in Florida and good judges of 
hmd. This fact alone is proof of the superior qualitv of our 
land if other evidence was needed. 

We have a large and constantly increasing area in grove, 
but have plenty of land for all new comers. Some large 
tracts have but lately been placed upon tiie market, and are 
now * offered cheap to actual settlers in lots to suit. Our 
country is rapidlv tilling up, and lands double in value every 
year. Our town is growing rapidly, and, occupying as it 
does, the exact center of West Orange, on the line of two 
projected railroads, one of which, the Jacksonville, Tampa, 



ORANGELAND. 



39 



& Key West, is now buildiny. It will undoubtedlv be 
chosen as the site of a new county it" one should be t>et off 
soon, as talked of. 

Our people are mostly from the Northern and Western 
States, and extend a cordial welcome to the new comer and 
every facility needed to make himself a home can be had 
here. Our large, new saw mill is turning out the best lumber 
at $13 per M. Our stores furnish groceries, hardware, 
stoyes, furniture, etc., and we haye every school and church 
privilege that can be desired. Our academy is large and 
well furnished and schools well attended. We have preach- 
ing three Sundays each month. Sabbath school e\'ery Sun- 
day and choir practice, with organ accompaniment, every 
Saturday e\'ening. 

Besides this we have a society called the " Lightfoot 
Club." It is composed of our best citizens, and is in the in- 
terest of public improvement, immigration, etc. It proposes 
to furnish reliable information to all people about to immi- 
grate, and guard them from imposition and swindles. 

Parties wishing to know more of Seneca, with a ^'iew of 
becoming settlers, could not do better than to address the 
corresponding secretary of this club. 

M. H. Wadswortii, 

Seneca, via Ft. Mason. 



THE SORRENTO REGION. 

What is known as the Sorrento Region lies in the west- 
ern part of Orange county and embraces the high, rolling 
pine lands between the Wekiva river and the large lakes 
which form the headwaters of the Ocklawaha. Its elevation 
is from 100 to 200 feet above the St. Johns river, and its siu'- 
face is rolling and undulating and presents a most pleasing 
and varied appearance. It is covered with a heavy growth 
of tall pines, free from underbrush and producing a heavy 
growth of the variovis grasses indigenous to Florida. A num- 
ber of small lakes situated among the hills tend to enhance 
the beauty of the landscapes. Its elevation, and the undula- 
ting conformation of its surface, prevents its being flooded 
during wet seasons as man}' other parts are, and being tree 
from swamps it is one of the most healthy spots in Florida, 
fevers, the curse of the low lands, being almost entirely un- 
known here. The settlement of Sorrento commenced in the 
winter of 1875 and 1876, and since that time its progress has 
been steady and permanent, the settlers being of an indus- 
trious, substantial class, principally from the Northern states. 



40 



OR ANGEL AND. 



The last two years the increase in popidation has been very 
rapid and the prospects are good for a still more rapid in- 
crease during the coming year. 

The exact number of the inhabitants of this region is not 
known, but we can count 220 land owners within the delivery 
of the Sorrento postoffice. The village of Sorrento has two 
stores, a hotel and a building devoted to church and school 
purposes ; also a postoffice and telegraph office. A Metho- 
dist Episcopal church has been organized here, Rev. Mr, 
Edwards officiating. Services are also held once a month 
by Rev. Mr. Enloe of the Presbyterian denomination ; also 
occasional services by Rev. W. C. Brooks, Universalist, and 
others. A Union Sabbath school is in a flourishing condi- 
tion, and a public day school commenced the tirst of Septem- 
ber. Two saw mills furnish us with plenty of lumber both 
dressed and rough, flooring, shingles, etc., in fact ever^-thing 
needed in building. 

The principal business of this communitv is raising 
orange groves, for which this region seems specially adapted. 
The lemon and lime also flourish here and receive a good 
share of attention. The number of trees in grove is very 
large, but the settlement being only seven years old, only a 
few groves are yet in bearing. The pine apple succeeds ad- 
mirably and thousands of plants are being set out the present 
season. Nearly all other semi-tropical fruits do well here, 
but our space is too small to mention them in detail. The 
Wekiva river on the east and the Ocklawaha and the St. 
Johns & Lake Eustis Railroad on the west are our present 
means of transportation, but the prospects ahead are for two 
more railroads to intersect each other somewhere near Sor- 
rento. Persons desiring further information regarding this 
prosperous and rapidly growing community, can obtain such 
information by enclosing five cents in stamps to the postmas- 
ter at Sorrento, Florida, for a large map and descriptive 
circular of this region in which is marked the groves, lakes, 
roads, buildings and the names of the persons owning the 
lands. Also a list of the difterent kinds of business carried 
on, the names of the public officers, etc. 

MOUNT DORA. 

One year ago this place was an unbroken forest with 
scarcely a tree cut. The natural attractions and advantages 
of the spot had, however, been known for some time by two 
or three long headed, wide awake gentlemen, who carefully 
watched as transportation f;icilities approached, and when 
the ri<i-ht time arrived drove their stakes, christened the newt 



ORANGELAND. 4^' 



born town and published to the world that it lived, into it had 
been breathed the breath of life and it moved and had a be- 
ing. And here, nestling so quietly and so beautifully by 
Lake Dora's side, overlooking lake and vale, and in the far 
distance, twenty miles away, the mountain tops in Sumj>- 
ter county, on Lake Apopka's western shores, are plainl3r 
visible ; here, 300 feet alDOve the level of the sea, and but 50 
miles away ; here with the grand old hills all about you ; here- 
with the fresh breezes from ocean and gulf, tempered and. 
softened by the journey through the pine forests ; here grad- 
ually sloping back from the water is our beautiful town and. 
the future great sanitarium of Orange county — Mount Dora^ 
Twelve months rolled by and what do we see — our present, 
prosperous, healthy, inviting town. As a health resort we 
affirm it is second to none in the State, nay, more than this, 
we challenge comparison from any standpoint that can be 
chosen. The beach of the lake is a white sand, firm as a 
drive or a walk ; here and there the beautiful cabbage pal- 
metto sends its semi-tropical head towering above its neigh- 
bors, which lends a charm to the scene as you look over the 
lake and the lakes beyond, which are partly hidden from 
view by charming islands of palm. This landscape is at 
once a park, regal and tropical to the new comer. The high 
rolling pine lands with which the town is surrounded are xm- 
exceled for the production of the orange, lemon, lime, pine 
apple and guava, in fact all semi-tropical fruits, as can be 
seen by the many groves old and 30ung. There are also 
heavier lands which can be had at reasonable figvu-es and- 
terms for the production of all kinds of vegetables. All the- 
lands here, whether town or rural property, compare favor- 
ably in price with locations that cannot compare with this., 
The exceptionally moral and pleasant character of the settlers, 
with the efforts being made to influence that class of settlers- 
yet to come, its easy access of communication, all this, add- 
ed to an atmosphere of purity, free from miasmatic influences,.. 
and with hotel accommodations already surpassing that of 
au}^ town in west Orange, where the care, comfort and wel- 
fare of their guests is the first consideration, and all necessary- 
medical aid can be had first-class and efficient, we are surely 
warranted in saying to the invalid, the overtaxed business 
man, the sportsman, or pleasure seeker, this .place cannot be 
equalled. To the permanent settler in Florida, where can 
you do better ? Health is the first consideration. If you 
"cannot find and keep it here, it is useless to l®ok in any place- 
for it. Come and see, we do not exaggerate. The half has- 
not been told, and. for beauty, picturesquenessand attractive- 



ORANGELAND. 



iiess our tnilv beautiful town cannot be excelled. We have 
three large hotels, a credit to an}- place, twenty-four dwell- 
ing houses, eight more building and contracted for, a wagon 
an"d blacksmith shop, carpenter shop, boat builder, a large 
general store, and a drug store soon to be erected. Mount 
Dora is situated in west Orange county, latitude 28+ degrees. 
Take the steamer from Jacksonville to Astor, thence by rail- 
road to Tavares, and by boat across Lake Dora, and you are 
landed at the future great winter resort of the State of Florida. 



TANGERINE. 

Of this beautitul locality, Hon. D. W. Adams, who had 
spent two winters in our State looking for a suitable localitv 
in which to settle, recentl}' wrote : 

"One Januarv evening, I came unto the hills o\'erlook- 
ing Lake Beauclaire just as the sun was going down in a 
blaze of glor}-. The air was as soft as the breath of peace. 
The pines, the palms, the gorgeous coloring of the clouds and 
sky and setting sun were repeated in mirrored waters. To 
{he north. Lake Dora half encircled beautiful Beauclaire in 
her crimson embrace, while to the south Ola and Carleton 
(Sams) glistened through the pines like gems of purest water, 
in emerald settings. Back from the lake for miles sweep the 
grand swelling hills and lovelv secluded valleys, all adorned 
b\- those long leaved pines, tall, slender and graceful, the 
sure indication of a soil peculiarly adapted to the growth of 
the famous Florida orange. Here and there, less in. size but 
no less beautiful, Lakes Angeline, Fanny, Lilly, Gem, Vic- 
toria, Bonnet, Terr}-, Lena, etc., add beauty to the land- 
scape, and anon a spring of sparkling water delights and 
entices the thirst}' traxeler. 

Here and there commanding liills in these beautifid val- 
]e3'S by these sparkling waters, among these health-giving 
pines, surrounded by lovely lakes to furnish sport to the 
angler, food to the hungry, and to bear our freights and 
pleasure vachts ; here is Tangerine, our home, the gem of 
Florida. From this point the waters flow north by the Ock- 
lawaha ri\er, east to the St. Johns, west to the gulf. Loca- 
ted as we are on this high rolling plateau, the summit of the 
peninsula, midwa}- between the ocean and gulf, we are con- 
stantly refreshed and our climate equalized by the ever 
reciu"ring sea and gulf breezes, and are comparatively exempt 
from tiie gales tliat sweep tlie coasts. "The summer days are 
cooled, and h\ the same agency the frost is taken froin the 



ORANGELAXD. 



43 



winter winds. Just northwest of lis, a cluster of five large 
lakes, Harris, Gritlin, Eustis, Dora and Beauclaire, furnishes 
an additional equalizer, giving us a location eminently adapt- 
ed to the culture of very tender plants and trees. Even the 
great freezing cold wave of December 30, 1880, spent its fury 
on their northern shores : and here the lime and lemon, ten- 
derest of all the citrus family, were uninjured in leaf, twig 
and blossom. 

This is no diminutive '"town site." owned bv speculators 
and held at lanc}^ prices, but a broad expanse of the tinest 
orange land in Florida ; miles in extent, suthcient for a large 
and powerful settlement, owned and occupied by actual set- 
tlers. We have made roads, planted 15,000 orange and 
lemon trees, established mail routes, saw mills, a postoffice 
with daily mail, store, schools, Sunday school and religious 
services. We have a Justice of the Peace who never had a 
trial, and a doctor who rarely has a patient. Steamers now 
land goods at our doors, and the frequenc}' of their \'isits will 
increase with our iticreasing numbers and wants. 

Our inhabitants are moral, intelligent, progressive, and 
almost of cosmopolitan origin, consequentlv are broad and 
tolerant in their opinions and associations. * * * ^ W/'g 
■want more people, as that means better roads, more steam- 
boats, more schools, bigger stores, more society, a higher 
civilization. There is room for many. The soil is a tine, 
light sandv loam with a clay subsoil. It produces sweet 
potatoes, cassava, conch and cow peas, sea island cotton, 
watermelons etc., abundanth'. It responds with alacrity to 
the application of manure, and will then produce an immense 
varietv of crops in perfection. * % * * The cost of pro- 
visions is about the same as in New England, but somewhat 
higher than in the Northwest. It costs much less here for 
rent, fuel and clothing than in either. Numerous men of 
liberal means are planting groves here, and this furnishes 
■employment to such settlers as wish to labor lor wages until 
their groves come into bearing. Wages for labor in the 
groves are $1.25 per dav, mechanics proportionately higher. 
Choice live acre lots, suitable for groves and homes, can be 
bought for .t75 to $200 each. It costs about $16 per acre to 
clear, $2.50 to plow, and 45 cents per rod for fence. Orange 
and lemon trees are frorn^ 25 to 75 cents each. * * * I 
can show a tree eleven years old from seed, thirty-nine inciies 
around the trunk in the smallest place, which has borne $20 
worth of oranges each year for two years. I can show others 
of the same age that never bore an orange. One grove near 
here of one-half an acre has brouu'ht the owner for fruit. 



44 ORANGELAI«D-. 



$i,2CX), .$900, $1,500 for three years respective!}'. Docs it 
■pay? Come and see." 

Route : By St. Johns river steamers to raih^oad at As- 
tor. By raih'oad to Tavares on north shore of Lake Dora, 
thence bv steamer to Tanjjerine. 

A kirge hotel will be opened Oct. ist. The "Tangerine 
Development Society" has issued a map of the locality with 
circular. Send stamp for it. Address, 

J. H. Foster, Sec'y, 

Tangerine, Orange County, Florida.. 



ZELLWOOD. 

The western part of Orange county abounds in beautiful 
and attractive locations for making either permanent or win- 
ter homes. Particular!}^ is this the case with the high ridge 
of open pine woods, extending southeast from Eustis, and on 
which are already situated the thriving and growing villages 
of Mount Dora, Tangerine, Zellwood and Apopka. 

Zellwood located ten miles southeast of Lake Eustis, 
five miles from Lake Dora, and with the smaller lakes. Beau- 
claire, Carleton, Ola and Maggiore, in the immediate neigh- 
borhood, offers unexcelled attractions for homes, or for en- 
gaging in orange or other semi-tropical fruit culture. The 
country is high and rolling, timbered heavil}' with pine and 
free from undergrowth. The soil, underlaid with red clay, 
is better than average in quality, and its adaptability foir 
growing oranges, lemons, limes, etc., is proven b}' many 
handsome and valuable groves in the vicinity. 

The location is absolutely free from malaria, and its per- 
fect healthfulness is shown in the immunity from sickness 
enjoyed by permanent residents from all parts of the North. 
Nowhere in Orange county can spots be found more free 
from all objectionable features, or that can be more readil}-, 
cheaply, and surel}' transformed into beautiful and healthful 
homes, or profitable orange groves. 

The Tavares, Orlando & Atlantic Railroad, now in 
rapid process of construction, zc ill pass directly through Zcll- 
zi'ood, and give unbroken, all rail. Northern connections. 
This road, it is probable, will be completed within twelve 
months. At this time Zellwood is reached bv private con- 
A'eyance from Eustis, the terminus of the St. Johns & Lake 
Eustis Railroad. 

Our place is laid out in live and ten acre lots for groves. 



ORANGELAND. 45 



■etc. For each lot we will give a building lot fronting on our 
lake, Maggiore. For terms apply to 

J. A. Williamson, Agent. 
Either of the undersigned will cheerfully give any further 
information personally or by letter. 

J. A. Williamson, 
R. G. Robinson. 



ORANGE HEIGHTS. 

This charming, delightful and healthful locality is two 
and one-half miles west of Apopka City and situated on 
Lake Apopka. It is one of the most healthful places to be 
found in all Florida, not even a case of yellow fever, sun 
stroke, or malaria has ever been known here. Situated as it 
is, back from the river on an elevation 175 feet above tide 
water, the atmosphere is perfectl}' dry, and the air cool and 
exhilarating. Some of the best young groves in the State 
are to be seen here and the soil is of the best in the county. 
The writer left Boston last winter, the first of February, seri- 
t^usly afflcted with catarrh and bronchitis. After consulting 
an eminent physician he was told that he could only find re- 
lief in Florida. He had coughed almost incessantly, and 
when he left Boston there were many doubts as to his recov- 
ery. 

On the boat from Boston to Savannah he chanced to 
meet Mr. P. W. Swan, who was going to visit his son at 
Orange Heights; he kindly informed him of the healthful- 
ness oi the place and an invitation to call on him was cheer- 
^"•illy accepted. 

The first impression on arriving at Orange Heights 
was of its lovely location ; the second of its beautiful springs 
of clear, sparkling water. We have since had the water 
from the springs analyzed and found them to contain very 
healthhil mineral properties. Had only been there a short 
time when coughing ceased, and in one month's time was 
■entirely freed from catarrhal trouble. 

Being favorably impressed with the place, decided to 
purchase land and set out a grove. Within the past year a 
number of New England people have become interested here 
•and as they are showing considerable enterprise, building 
good Irame houses and setting out some fine groves, we con- 
.sider Orange Heights one of the best places in the county for 
newcomers to locate. 

There is plenty of land to be had cheap, and a good 
'neighborhood of honest, enterprising, church-going people. 



^6 ORANGELAND. 



It is on the line of the T., O. & A. R. R., and is south of 
latitude 29, thus insuring all kinds of vegetables from destruc- 
tive frost. 

On the pine land all kinds of the citrus family grow lux- 
uriantly, and the hammock land of the Lake Apopka region 
is conceded by all to be the best in the State. If you want 
climate, health, good water, good rich soil cheap, and a good 
neighborhood on the line of a railroad, come to Orange 
Heights. 

P. S. — An official analysis by our eminent vState chemist 
has been printed of the properties of the mineral springs ot 
Orange Heights, and will be sent free on application to ]Mr. 
E. C. Swan, at Orange Heights. 



APOPKA. 

For man\" years Apopka shared the fate of all South 
Florida towns. It was unheard of, an isolated hamlet, far 
beyond the borders of civilization, the only means of commu- 
nication being the occasional steamers that plied the St. 
Johns, the nearest landing being at Melonville, near the pres- 
ent site of Sanford. Those were the days of the semi- 
monthly and weekly mails, when the pioneers of the piney 
woods ranged themselves along the counters ot the solitary 
storeroom, in which the postothce was located, and anxiously 
awaited the call of their names for letters from the old folks 
way up in New England, Georgia, the Carolinas and the 
far West. But things have changed. This state of affairs 
no longer exists, and we will, after a brief description of the 
Apopka region, note the difference bet\veen the Apopka of 
to-day and the obscure hamlet referred to above. 

In 1854 an old couple named Rodgers settled upon a 
portion of the land now embraced in Apopka City. In r855 
Col. folm L. Stewart and sons, and Peter Buchan and sons, 
moved from Georgia and cleared a considerable body of land. 
About i860 Orange Lodge No. 36, F. & A. M., built a hall 
and for manv vears the place was known as the Lodge. For 
several years from 1868 to about 1870 the neighbors took 
turns to go weekly to Melonville, 22 miles distant, lor the 
mail. 

In 1868 the topographv of the Apojika region attracted 
the attention of a physician, who desired to locate upon high, 
rolling land, as far removed as possible from swamps and 
other causes of disease. This gentleman was so well pleased 
with the location that he made it his'liome. and though "three 
score years and ten,"" is living to-day in better health than 



ORANGELAND. 47 



when he came, full of activity and enterprise, a monument to 
the wonderful salubrity of the climate and locality. All rep- 
resentation to the contrary, Apopka is one of the highest, if 
not the highest, location in the State of Florida. It is situa- 
ted in township 21 south, of range 28 east ; is 3:V miles south 
of the celebrated Clay Springs, which are the source of the 
Wekiva river, navigable for steamboats to the St. Johns (a 
distance of 18 miles), and is about the same distance west ot 
the great Lake Apopka, next to Okeechobee, the largest 
bod}' of water in the State. 

Up to two 3'ears ago the progress made in developing 
this section was slow. The completion of the South Florida 
railroad, howe\'er, served as a stimulus, and resulted in at 
least doubling the number of inhabitants and buildings in 
Apopka. The surrounding country has been even more ben- 
efitted from the same cause. 

The present population of Apopka and the immediate 
vicinitv is about 800 ; increase within two years, 400. The 
rich hammocks and pine lands, contiguous are being utilized 
rapidly for vegetable growing. The shipments last year ag- 
gregated several thousand crates, which realized fabulous 
prices in the Northern markets. Cucumbers, beans, onions, 
potatoes and tomatoes are the principal varieties raised. The 
number of oran^-e trees in grove form within the corporate 
limits is nearly 1 1 ,000, and including the surroundmg neigh- 
borhood, about double that number. These comprise groves 
in all stages of advancement, and count among the number 
some of the largest and most profitable in the county. There 
are, of course, many lemon and lime trees, and a constantly 
increasing variet}' of other fruits. Strawberry cidture has 
not as vet been attempted beyond domestic needs. Pine 
apples are attracting attention as a crop that can be realized 
from in a short time, and their cultivation bids fair to rival 
that of the orange and other fruits. 

A commodious and comfortable public school building is 
being erected, capable of accommodating 200 pupils. A 
competent and experienced principal has been selected, who 
will be assisted by a corps of etficient teachers. 

The public buildings of Apopka are a town hall, masonic 
lodge, Methodist and Baptist churches. The membership of 
the Methodist church is about 75, Baptist 70, and the Pres 
byterians have a church organization with 22 members, but 
no edifice. The Episcopalians, also, have a church organi- 
zation and monthly services. There are a drug store, sev- 
eral stores for general merchandizing, a hay and grain store, 
and a good livery stable with ample accommodations, all 



48 OR ANGEL AND. 



doing a fair and increasing business. It also has a weekly 
newspaper, the Citizen, and a live real estate agency, that of 
Da\ns & McKinney. Postal arrangements afford a money 
order office, a daily mail from the north, and a semi-weekly 
mail from a number of inter-county localities. Fresh beef of 
good quality and at low rates is furnished regularly from two 
to three times weekl}'. There are, also, two steam sawmills, 
two blacksmith and one wagon-making shop, and another 
saw mill will soon be in operation between Apopka and the 
lake. 

The country around Apopka is high and rolling, covered 
'with a heav}' growth of 3'ellow and pitch pine. The timber 
is simpl}' magnificent. The whole region is interspersed 
"With beautiful, clear water lakes, full of the finest fish, afibrd- 
ing the rarest sport and an excellent diet. The quality of 
the land is not surpassed by any other section of the famed 
Orange county. Almost every foot of it is suitable for orange 
culture, and man}- orange groves in the bearing stage can be 
pointed out that have been made without the use of fertilizers. 
Besides the pine lands, there are a number of tracts of high 
hammocks, of the richest quality of soil, covered with hick- 
oiy, oak, magnolia, sweet gum, bay, and the wild orange 
and palmetto. This grade of land is unsurpassed in the 
United States for natural fertility and adaptability to garden- 
ing purposes, besides the growth of the orange, which it 
frequentl}' brings into bearing in from five to seven years 
from the seed. The great hammocks along the eastern shore 
of Lake Apopka, alone insure the future prosperity of this 
section, comprising, as the}' do, hundreds of acres of the fin- 
est vegetable land in the world, protected from damaging 
frost from the north and west by 150 square miles of water 
never at a lower temperature than 60 deg. fah., over which 
cold winds must pass to reach them. 

THE ORLANDO, TAVARES & ATLANTIC RAILROAD. 

Apopka is located directly on the line of the Orlando, 
Tavares & Atlantic Railroad, which connects with the Tran- 
sit railroad at Leesburg, forming a direct, all-rail route with 
the North. This road will prove the most formidable com- 
petition the St. Johns river has vet had in securing the carry- 
ing trade of South Florida. Work has been going on act- 
ively for several months in grading from Tavares toward 
Orlando, and Apopka being midway between these points 
will probably have been re^vched by the graders and ironers 
when these pages come from the press. It is expected that 
the whole line will be in operation by the ist of January-, 1884. 



ORAXGELAND. 



49 



Independently of railroad communication, A'popka enjoys 
the advantage ot" water transportation bv the \va^' of the 
Wekiva river. For years past this river has been navigated 
b}' steamboats and barges up to its source. Clav Springs. 
These springs, within 3^- miles of Apopka, are destined to 
become famous as a resort for invalids and pleasure seekers 
from all parts. The waters are strongly, though not repug- 
nantly, impregnated with sulphur and other medicinals, and 
have a reputation lor effecting remarkable cures of scrofulous 
diseases. 

A candid comprehension of the advantages offered b^' 
the Apopka region must inevitably lead to the conclusion 
that, all things considered, it is one of the most fa\-ored sec- 
tions of South Florida, and that, therefore, the homeseeker, 
the healthseeker, or the tourist will hnd it both profitable and 
pleasant to pay it a visit. The hospitable character of its 
inhabitants, from all parts of the Union, warmed up with the 
prospects of a brilliant future, will insure them a kindh- 
•greeting and outstretched hands. 



THE APOPKA REAL ESTATE AND LOAN AGENCY. 

DAVIS & MCKINNEY. 

This agency is the livest feature of the Apopka region. 
It has been in existence but a few months, vet has exerted a 
marked influence in attracting the attention of settlers to the 
country. Both members of the lirm are voung men full of 
energy and perseverance, and are determined that the out- 
side world shall not lack intelligence of the beautiful countr\' 
they operate in. Messrs. Davis & McKinnev hold contracts, 
and are sale agents for the sale of upwards of $200,000 worth 
of the choicest orange groves and unimpro\-ed lands in their 
section. With but few exceptions, the ^■aluations on this 
property are the same as fixed upon it twelve months ago, 
and previous to the commencement of active operations on 
the Tavares, Orlando «S: Atlantic Railroad. Hardly one of 
the groves on their list could be mad'e at a less cost than the 
price at which it is held. The cause of this has been lack of 
transportation. But with the now assured railroad prospects, 
the opportunities for immediate paving investment in the 
Apopka section are obvious. The experience of other local- 
ities that have been tapped bv the iron horse will undoubtedly 
be reenacted in the case of Apopka. 

Messrs. Davis & McKinney have teams in constant 
readiness, and will cheerfulh* conduct prospective settlers 
through the Apopka region free of charge. Both members 

4 



50 ORANGELAND. 



of the tirm are well known throughout Orange county, do not 
exaggerate the advantages of the country, and make it a nile 
never to importune those who call on them to buy against 
their will and judgment. They unhesitatingly refer to all 
persons of prominence in the county, and those who have 
had business dealings with them. Correspondence solicited. 



THE SOUTH FLORIDA CITIZEN 

Was established in April, 1879, ^^^ ^e^'- ^^' ^^- '^^<^^ ^' 
M. C. Russell. Rev. F. A. Taylor, A. M.. is the present 
editor and proprietor. A n,ew press and outtit have recently 
been purchased and the paper will hereafter be called the 
Apop/ca Citizen. It will be a reliable local newspaper, devoted 
to the interests of Apopka City, Orange county and Florida. 
Terms i^i.50 per annum in advance. 



OCOEE. 

This is a little village of about a dozen families, one 
store, postotfice, school, steam saw mill, etc., located on 
Starke Lake, two and a half miles south of Lake Apopka. 
One of the many embrvo towns in the county. 

The following are a few of the inducements it offers. 
There has never a case of chills originated at the place, 
and the healthfulness and water cannot be surpassed in the 
countv. Some of the richest lands in the county, pine and 
hammock, are in this localitv and cheaper than any other 
place, other advantages being equal. Insects are not trouble- 
some, some families never putting up a mosquito net the year 
round. Hunting and fishing are not surpassed. The water 
protection against c.old is better than at any other locality in 
the countv : "we seldom have the tenderest vegetable or small 
fruits killed by frost when they have been killed all around 
us. Some of the finest bearing groves in the county are in 
this vicinity, and more vegetables are raised for market. 
There are a number of beautitul young groves in this settle- 
ment for sale reasonably. Want of transportation has been 
the only drawback, but before this pamphlet is out we will 
have daily communication with Jacksonville. 

The people of Ocoee and vicinity are enterprising, moral 
and intelligent. Each one seems to be too much engrossed 
in his own affairs, and too well satisfied with the success 
which attends his efforts, to allow any feelings of malice or 
envy to exist in his mind. There are no neighborhood quar- 
rels. Justices of the peace have few or no official duties, 
a busy, thriving people, all rejoicing in the general pros- 



ORANGELAXD. 51 



perity of a section, and all confident that this particular local- 
ity, when fully developed, will be one of the richest and most 
attractive to be found anywhere, bear nothing but good will 
toward each other. Such communities naturallv attract 
strangers, and secure the best citizens from coming immigra- 
tion. 

This is Ocoee society. A fertile, agricultural and fruit 
growing region surrounds the embryo town. Gardening and 
truck farming are extensively and profitably carried on. With 
the opening of the Apopka canal to navigation the increased 
transportation facilities have given a fresh impetus to this in- 
dustry, and the coming winter will show more extensive 
operations and greater profits. 

For particulars address the postmaster at Ocoee, with 
stamp, who will be pleased to give you all the intormation \ou 
want. 



GOTHA. 

This beautiful town, situated on the shores of Lake Olixia 
and several smaller lakes, is about eight miles due west of 
Orlando and has an elevation of 200 or more feet above tide 
water, being on the back bone of Florida. The lands are 
the choicest, roUing high pine, and a pleasant, cool breeze 
continually prevails. It is remarkably free iVom insect pests, 
malarial and other diseases. The lovely Lake Olivia is from 
20 to 30 feet deep, the waters pure and limpid and the shores 
of clean, white sand, while the banks slope gradual!}' all 
around giving excellent building sites lor hundreds of fami- 
lies. 

Here, after traveling all over Florida, Mr. H, A. Hempel, 
(the inventor of the celebrated Hempel Qiioin tor printers, 
from which he derives a handsome income, ) decided to make 
a home, leeling sure that the many advantages of the loca- 
tion would attract a goodly number of people of a social and 
progressive disposition like himself^ He, therefore, secured 
a thousand acres of this choice land besides a tract on 
Apopka Lake four miles distant. 

Lumber was needed, 'hence he built a fine sav\-, shingle 
and planing mill, the fniest and most complete in this section. 
With the lumber from the mill he has built several handsome 
houses, a fine store, etc., and settlers come in and commence 
their improvements. The public school commenced Oct. ist. 

Mr. Hempel has a fine grove of young orange trees and 
a variety of fruits besides quite a nvunber of acres of peas, 
potatoes, vegetables, etc. Around his houses are fine tracts 
of Bermuda grass, and everything shows vigorous growth. 



D- 



OR ANGEL AND. 



He employs intelligent and competent men on his own place 
and to care for the groves of others who are unable to spend 
the whole year here, charging them only the actual cost. 

The tract of land is laid out in village lots, residence 
lots, and garden and farm lots. Also a number of choice 
locations on Lake Olivia for winter homes for Northerners. 

A charter has -been obtained for a railroad that is to run 
through this tract of land from Orlando, and the Jacksonville, 
Tampa & Kev West Railroad, now in course of rapid con- 
struction, will pass near Lake Apopka and within a couple 
of miles of Gotha, and possibly through the village. Mr. 
Hempel will soon build a dock on Lake Apopka, Irom and 
through which there is an all-water route to the St. Johns 
river, thus giving in the near future several routes of trans- 
portation. At present Gotha is reached through Orlando, 
from which place there is a regular mail, and from whence 
conveyances may be had to visit this exceedingly healthful 
and interesting section of country. 



LAKE WANEE AND SURROUNDINGS. 

Six miles west of the flourishing town of Orlando, the 
county seat of Orange county, and situated in townships 22 
and 23 south, range 28 east, is to be found one of the 
most desirable locations in South Florida, and why such a 
fine section should have escaped the grasp of those desiring 
lands for speculation, is a mystery the writer is unable to 
solve. But such is the case, and the lands are principally 
owned by young, hard working white men, who are willing 
to divide their lands up with those seeking homes, at ver}- 
low figures in order to have neighbors. There are yet some 
desirable Government lands to be had, and the writer will 
take pleasure in showing them up to parties desiring to settle 
among us. We do not propose to act selfishly. We want all 
the working men we can get to come among us and help 
develop a settlement, every acre of which will be a small for- 
tune to the owners in a few years, We have a large variety 
of lands, and if you do not wish to engage in orange culture 
you can follow other pursuits. We have lands admirably 
adapted to truck farming ; in fact any crops raised in the 
United States can be successful!}- grown here. I will give a 
brief description of the lands, confining myself to this partic- 
ular section. 

The lands, as a general thing, are what may be termed 
No. 1 pine, while at the same time they are well elevated, 
beinjjf about 100 feet hiirher than the lands at Sanford on the 



ORANGELAXD. 53 



St. Johns river, only a distance of twenty-two miles. The 
country for tour or five miles around is high and rolling, the 
principal growth being pine and turkeyoak. Beautiful clear 
water lakes tilled with tine fish are to be seen in every direc- 
tion, and the much coveted lake fronts are to be had on al- 
most every quarter section. The Hon. A. B. Longaker, ot 
Allentown, Pa., after traveling over the entire State of Flor- 
ida and locating for' himself and friends ov^r 9,000 acres of 
land, returned to this section and located for himself a quar- 
ter section on a beautiful little lake, where he proposes to 
build for himself a home for his old age. As yet Orlando is 
our nearest point to transportation, but we have three chances 
for transportation at our ver}' doors at an early date. The 
Tampa & Kev West Railroad survey passes near us, and a 
companv has been formed and a charter granted for a rail- 
road from Orlando to Oakland, Fla., which will pass directh^ 
through this settlement. Boats are already running from 
South Apopka to Tavares, and dredging will commence 
from Apopka to Butler at an early date, which will give us 
close communication by water. Some substantial improve- 
ments are going on already. Some of the parties whom I 
will name as being among the principal land holders on 
Lake Wanee : 

D. C. Clem, of Linville, Va.. i6o acres ; Joseph Blanc, 
160 acres, 5 acre grove ; Eugene E. Pope, i6o acres, 5 acre 
grove; N. J. Lewis, 160 acres, J. S. Tyler, 120 acres; L. 
G. Harper, 320 acres, 10 acre grove ; William Powell, 80 
acres, 10 acre grove ; J. E. Holeman, 40 acres ; J. J. Davis, 
40 acres, 5 acre grove. 

Some choice lands are to be found on Lake Hiwassee. 
This fine sheet of water lies north of Wanee, and is only di- 
vided by a narrow strip of land of a tew acres. The princi- 
pal owners of land and groves on this lake are J. M. Mc- 
Connell ; J. M. Austin, 200 acres, 10 acre grove; J. D. 
Newsome, lOO acres, 6 acres grove ; Homer Duke, 20 acres ; 
J.N. Wilson, 40 acres ; C, F. Hancock, 200 acres, 5 acre 
grove ; Willis N. Parker, 240 acres ; J. O. Sessoms, 160 acres^ 
improvements; George B. Pope, 160 acres, improvements: 
Hiram Beasly, 40 acres, improvements. 

Improvements are rapidl}' making their appearance in 
this vicinity, and will at an early date make a large and 
prosperous settlement. One mile northwest of Lake Hiwas- 
see, and immediately on the mail route from Orlando to 
Sumterville, quite a settlement is rapidly forming and some 
substantial improvements are booming up on the banks ot 
Lake May, which, by the wa^', is one of the prettiest lakes 



54 ORANGELAND. 



in Florida. On the south of this hike Dr. Griffin, formerh- 
of Atlanta, Ga., has erected a grist and saw mill, which is 
driven bv a Turbine wheel, with a fall of twenty feet of water 
from a lake above Lake May. E. W. Speir, postmaster at 
Orlando, and Messrs. Argue & Carpenter, of Washington, 
I). C, own fins property on the east side of this lake and are 
planting out a ten acre grove, and anticipate adding to it 
until forty acres or more are completed. On the north W. 
H. McGvvigan has a quarter section with comtortable dwell- 
ing on it. He has a fine lake view and several beautiful 
building spots. He anticipates planting a large grove at an 
early date. 

There are man}' others making improvements and own- 
ing lands that I have not mentioned, as my object was only 
to show a few of the principal land owners. Parties wishing 
to make a home in Florida, or those desiring to make solid 
investments will find it to their interest to communicate or 
call on me before making purchases elsewhere. I will obli- 
gate to furnish good orange and vegetable lands at from $3 
to $15 per acre. I have the management of several fine 
bodies of land that belong to parties at a distance, that can 
be bought at figures that will double themselves in six months. 
Lands will be bought, cleared, set in orange trees and cared 
for for parties living at a distance, who cannot superintend 
the work themselves. All communications should be ad- 
dressed to L. G. Harper, 

Orlando, Orange Co., Fla. 



THE LAKE WORONOCO REGION. 

Ten miles northeast of Orlando, six miles due east of 
Winter Park and three miles south of east from Lake Howell, 
is the beautiful Lake Woronoco. The country is rolling and 
covered with a fine growth of pine, while numerous lo\'ely, 
dear water lakes diversif}' the scene and their banks atlbrd 
excellent building sites. There are no Government lands 
here and but few improved places, it being almost a terra 
t'liroo-niia less than two years ago. Its natural beaut}' and 
the excellence of its lands for oranjje ijrowing are now, how- 
t'ver, attracting much attention and several families are ex- 
pected to locate there the present season, tliough the lands 
are held at $10 and upward per acre. It is on- the projected 
line of the Tavares, Orlando & Atlantic railroad, and will 
in a few years undoubtedly be greatly developed and a thriv- 
ing social center, with all the appurtenances of modern civili- 
zaition, as its only need is more people imbued with the 



ORANGELAND. 



55 



■desire to make for themselves pleasant homes in this lovely 
and healthful region. For further particulars address, with 
stamps, Sherman Adams, 

Orlando, Florida. 



THE SOUTH FLORIDA RAILROAD. 

A very important factor in the wonderfullv rapid devel- 
opment of that beautiful section of country in the very heart 
of the Orange Belt, southwesterly from Sanford,is the South 
Florida Railroad, under the able management of its wide 
awake and efficient president, Mr. J. E. Ingraham, to whose 
energy ol character and marked business abilitv is due much 
of the remarkable success which has characterized this im- 
portant enterprise. 

To Mr. B. R. Swoope, the superintendent, and Mr. F. 
H. Rand, the general freight and passenger agent, are also 
due a full meed of praise, and those who are acquainted with 
tJie scope and character of their work, know that the interests 
of the road are safe and progressive in their capable hands. 
Nor must we forget Dr. C. C. Haskell, the treasurer, and 
one of the original incorporators, a very energetic and cour- 
teous gentleman, without whose aid the read would not have 
been built. In fact all connected with the road seem to be 
overflowing with energy, enterprise and wise foresight. 

The history of the road may be briefly stated as follows : 
In the heart of Orange county was a lovely and productive 
country awaiting development. Mr, E. W. Henck of Long- 
wood, and Dr. C. C. Haskell, of Maitland, realized that the 
time had come for action in place of the talk in which others 
were indulging. Thev associated with themselves Messrs. 
A. Meuser and E. T. Crafts and procured articles of incor- 
poration, which were advertised in June, 1879, ^'^^ ^^ Octo- 
ber they secured a charter for a railroad from the St. Johns 
river to Charlotte Harbor on the Gulf of Mexico, with a cap- 
ital of $120,000. Survey work commenced in November, 
and January 10, 1880, a great celebration was held at San- 
ford, many distinguished men being present, and General 
Grant inaugurated the enterprise by digging the first spade- 
full of earth, and work commenced in earnest. In the mean- 
time the l^oston (Mass. ) Daily Herald^ by its able owners and 
managers, Mr. R. M. Pulsifer and Mr." E. B. Haskell, the 
latter a brother of Dr. H., had become interested and pro- 
vided the bulk of the capital for the enterprise, and the road 
has often been noted as the first and only one built, owned 
and run by a newspaper. 



56 ORAXGELAXD. 



They perfected their organization Januar}- 29, 1880^ 
electing the following officers : President, E. W. Henck ; 
Treasurer, Dr. C. C. Haskell ; Secretary, E. T. Crafts ; Chief 
Engineer, F. C. Tucker, and the organizers as directors. 
January 29, i88i,Mr. J. E. Ingraham was elected Pres^ident ; 
Dr. C. C. Haskell, Treasurer; E. T. Crafts, Secretary: E. 
R. Trafford, Chief Engineer, and the following Board of Di- 
rectors : J. E. Ingraham, B. R. Swoope, Dr. C.C. Haskell, 
E. R. Tratibrd and E. T. Crafts, also B. R. Swoope as Su- 
perintendent and F. H. Rand as General Freight and Pas- 
senger Agent. In August Mr. Crafts resigned, and Mr. F. 
H. Rand was elected to fill the vacancy. The same persons, 
were re-elected in 1882 and in 1883. Mr. Tratl:brd, however^ 
retired early this year to give his whole attention to the in- 
terests of the Sanford Grant, which is developing very rapidly 
under his able management. 

So vigorously was the work prosecuted, that b}- June i^ 
18S0, the road was in operation to Long wood, July ist to 
Maitland,and December 1st to Orlando. The business done- 
far exceeded the most sanguine expectations, and has stead- 
ily increased year b}^ year, one surprising teature being the 
fact that the business of each succeeding summer has exceed- 
ed that of the preceding winter, proving beyond question the 
solid and rapid growth of the country. 

In June, i88r, an extension was surve}'ed from Orlando, 
to Kissimmee City ; the work commenced in July, and the 
road opened for business in March, 1882. During the sum- 
mer a charter was obtained extending the road to Tampa, the 
route surveyed and a force of 1,200 to 1,500 men employed,, 
the Plant railroad Syndicate taking a three-fifths interest in 
the road. So great is the energ}- displa3^ed that the road is 
expected to be open to the public early in January, 1884. It 
is being built in a very substantial manner and the equipment, 
is to be first-class in eveiy respect. The track is laid with 
forty pound steel rails, using Wharton's improved safety 
switches. Mason's improved engines with extended smoke 
box to secure passengers from all annoyance b}- smoke or 
cinders. Each through train will have a tine drawing-room 
car, as well as elegant passenger coaches, smoking-car, mail, 
baggage and express cars, etc. In fact nothing will be 
spared that will conduce to the comfort, safety and con\en- 
ience of the passengers. 

This extension of the road will aid greatly in the de\-el- 
opment of the country, and thousands will pass over the line 
that otherwise would stay away. The company have \ery 
fine lands alon*; the line of the road, which will be sold at. 



ORANGELAXD. 



57 



very reasonable rates, and they are giving particular atten- 
tion to the development of special localities. 

The names ot the stations are : Sanford R, R. Wharf, 
Sanford, Belair, Crystal Lake, Bent\s, Longwood, 
Snow's, Mayo, Maitland, Winter Park, Willcox, Or- 
lando, Pine Castle, McKinnon, Kissimmee, Ft. Daven- 
port, Horse Creek, Bartow, Madora, Siiilo, Tampa. . 

At Sanford the Company' have a very fine depot, and 
commodious and substantial freight houses ; also at several 
other points on the line, and new ones are being steadiH 
built, the intention being to give every place a handsome de- 
pot, etc. At Sanford are the Company's othces and general 
headquarters, also theh" extensive car and machine shops, 
which are turning out excellent and substantial work. The 
hundredth part has not been said, but space forbids further 
inention. 



THE FLORIDA LAND AND COLONIZATION COiAl- 

PANY. 

This organization has its headquarters at Sanford, 
though their interests extend over a large part of the State in 
Orange, Polk, Hernando, Brevard, Sumter, Alachua and 
Marion counties, all choice selections located several years 
ago and unquestionably among the best lands in the State.. 
They offer land for sale in lots to suit purchasers at moderate, 
prices, varying according to location and quality, on easy 
terms to actual settlers. This company purchased Hon. H, 
S. Santbrd's interest in the Sanford Grant, a tine body of 
land on the south side of Lake Munroe, and have laid out a 
large amount of money in building streets, wharves, hotels, 
water works, gas and planting shade trees. The Sanford. 
Grant was an old Spanish interest, confirmed under treaty- 
with Spahi bv the United States Supreme Court, and conse- 
quently has a perfect title. It embraces twenty-five square, 
miles of territorv at the head of navigation on the St. Johns- 
river, latitude 28 degrees, 50 minutes north. This section is- 
now recognized as among the best in the State for the culti- 
vation of semi-tropical fruits, especialh' oranges and lemonSy, 
owing to its exemption trom injurious frosts, accessibility to 
market and facilities of transportation. 

At the State Fair at Jacksonville on the 25th of January, 
i88i,the first prizes were given to pine apples, lemons, limts^f 
lemon and citron blossoms, cabbage, cauliflowers, turnips, 
etc., from Sanlbrd, in all nine premiums for the Grant, a 



58 ORANGELAND. 



unique exhibit after the frost which did so much damage in 
other regions. 

There are a large number of orange groves on the Grant 
and adjoining, one of whicli 30 years old, yields an annual 
income of from .'l>2,ooo to $3,000 h'om 250 trees. The Speer 
grove, near Sanford, from four and a half acres has averaged 
$4,500 for the past eleven years, one year yielding $7,300 
nett. 

The land on the lake is generally low, with pine, decid- 
uous cypress, and cabbage-palm trees ; it rises gradually as 
it recedes from the lake, into high, rolling land, of light, ap- 
parently sandy soil, covered with yellow pine trees, inter- 
spersed' with "blackjack," and occasional hammock of hard 
timber, which gives the richest known soil, the whole dotted 
with beautiful, deep, clear water lakes of spring water. 
Muck is abundant, and very valuable for fertilizing purposes. 
The lands of the Grant are especially desirable to those v.ish- 
ing to plant orange or lemon groves, as offering special at-, 
tractions in the facilities near at hand — churches, schools, 
transportation, daily mail, express, telegraph, printing office, 
railroad shops, etc., all being within easy reach, and 
living expenses, therefore,. greatly reduced and comfort in- 
creased. 

It is proposed to utilize the new Swedes colony, which 
landed here in November last, in establishing at once 25 five- 
acre groves, to be offered for sale, and also through the same 
reliable labor, to have them cared for on contract for one or a 
term of years ; the usual price per acre and per annum, for 
care of a grove, once established, is $20. Non-residents can 
have lands selected for them on the Grant, cleared, fenced, 
and planted wath choice imported stock (from Belair if desir- 
ed,) to order, and can depend upon good selections, good 
work, and thorough management. There are fine groves on 
the Grant so conducted, owned by prominent citizens of the 
North, since years, and not yet seen by their owners. The 
old Swedes colony make a specialty of caring for orange 
groves, and their own groves (many of which are for sale,) 
give evidence of their skill and care in the business they have 
followed for twelve years past. Such opportunities to secure 
with little trouble and small cost, in perhaps the most eligible 
position in Florida, winter homes, orange, mandarin and 
lemon groves, and pineapple plantations, are, probably, not 
to be found elsewhere, and when one reflects that it will cost 
$50 per acre to transport a full orange crop five miles, tlu- 
advantage of close proximity to attain transportion will be 
appreciated. The price of clearing land per acre, is about 



ORANGELAND. 59 



■.|20; trees are planted tVom 70 to 100 to the acre. NurserA- 
.¥!tock suitable for planting young groves can be bought, un- 
budded at from ^2^ to $50 per hundred, according to size 
;ixnd age ; budded Irom $50 to $100 per hundred. The price 
'of labor is from $15 to $20 per month with board ; beef 7c to 
.IOC per pound; flour about $1 per bbl. above New York 
prices, and so relatively for other imported provisions and 
groceries ; flsh and game plentiful, and ver}' cheap. 

The new town of McKinnqn on the South Florida Rail- 
road was laid out during the summer of 1S83, and now has a 
4Store, saw mill, postoffice, etc., besides having twenty or 
more groves started. This place is an elevation in the flat 
woods of remarkably good land, good water, few insects and 
being hio^h and dry must be healthv. Land heretofore has 
been sold in this town at a very low price for immediate im- 
provement, no lots being sold to speculators. It is proposed 
to erect a church this coming winter. Being located on the 
railroad, transportation of course will be good. 

The other propert}' belonging to this company is scatter- 
ed throughout the counties mentioned, among which is a 
body of land lying on and nearLake Apopka, consisting of 
pine and hammock ; Gardener's Island on the Kissimmee 
river ; Anclote, in Hernando county, where there is some 
recently drained, rich saw-grass land, suitable for sugar cane. 
A flne body of land in Alachua county, etc. 

When the Florida Land and Colonization Companj' pur- 
chased the Hon. Mr. Sanford's interest there had been but 
comparatively little done toward- improving the property. 
-Lands had been sold and groves made and brought into 
bearing, but no sj'stem of drainage for the flat woods and 
grass ponds. Under its present management it is proposed 
to drain many spots of rich land which are now useless on 
account of occasional flooding during heavy rains, and thus 
open up some of the best and richest cane and garden lands 
in the country. 

Pine apples, guavas, Japan persimmons, and other like 
perishable fruit, has been sent from here to New York and 
arrived in prime condition. Beans, tomatoes, Irish potatoes, 
and other vegetables were shipped in quantities during last 
March, April and May, and very satisfactory prices received ; 
.some potatoes shipped during April bringing from seven to 
mine dollars a barrel ; beans selling for three dollars per bushel 
crate, close connections and quick transportation putting 
the vegetables into New York City within Ave days. 

Mr. E. R. Traflbrd, Sanford," Florida, is the agent for 
this company. 



6o ORANGELAND. 



DISSTON PURCHASE— 4,ooo,Goo ACRES. 

FLORIDA LAND AND IMPROVEMENT COMPANY. 



Hamilton Disston, Pres 
J.J. Dunne, Vice Pres 



T. Henry Asbury, Treas. 
Richard Salinger, Sec'y> 
W. T. Forbes, Land Commissioner. 

Plave still in Orange county about 90,000 acres whicb 
they offer lor sale generally in blocks of 80 acres or more at 
•ti.25 per acre. 

Lands within six miles of railroad or steamer transpor- 
tation are graded at .t2.50 per acre. 

Their lands include every variety of upland and lowland, 
and are adapted to oranges, lemons, limes, pineapples, 
bananas, sugar cane, early vegetables, etc., and are situated 
chieflv in the counties of Duval, St. Johns, Volusia, Brevard, 
Orange, Sumter, Lew, Alachua, Hernando, Hillsborough, 
Polk, Manatee and Monroe. 

Appl}' for information or purchase to R. H. Marks, 
agent, Sanford, Fla., or to the general office of the company 
at Jacksonville. 

W. T. Forbes, 

Land Com. Jackson^•ille, Fla. 



KISSIMMEE LAND COMPANY. 



T. Henry Asbury, Pres. 
Hamilton Disston, Vice Pres. 



W. T. Forbes, Manager. 
L. W. Klahr, Treas. 



T. W. Palmer, Secretar}- 

Principal office, Jacksonville, Fla. Branch office, Kinsimmee 

City, Fla. 

Owns and has for sale a large portion of Kissimmee City, 

and the whole of the Florida L. & L Co.'s addition to 

that nourishing town. 

The town of Kissimmee is situated at the head of naviga- 
tion of the Kissimmee and Caloosahatchee rivers, and has 
direct water communication through these streams and Lake 
Okeechobee to the Gulf of Mexico. It has also railroad 
transportation northward, and in a fe\Y weeks from the issu- 
ing of this pamphlet will have railroad communicatj'on with 
Tampa on tlie Gulf coast. 



OR ANGEL AND. 6 1 



The Companv, after a year of careful inspection, has 
selected and purchased about 200,000 acres of land in Orange, 
Brevard, Polk, Hillsborough, and Monroe counties ; also 
smaller tracts in Hernando, Sumter and Duval counties. 



These .lands are among the most desirable in the State, 
both for residence and culture of oranges and other fruits 
and vegetables, and are readilv accessible by either present 
or prospective railroad and steamer routes. ^ 



The}' were carefully selected by thoroughlv competent 
judges of Florida land, especially for their adaptability to the 
culture of vegetables and semi-tropical fruits. 



We offer them for sale in quantities to suit purchasers at 
from -f 2.50 to $10 per acre, according to quality and loca- 
tion. Address. 

W. T. Forbes, Manager, 

Jacksonville, Florida. 



OKEECHOBEE LAND COMPANY. 

The lands of this Company in the Kissimmee and Caloo- 
sahatchee vallevs, are now for sale at graded prices. 

These lands are a portion of the large body which lies 
in the fertile vallevs of the two streams mentioned. It is the 
opinion of competent persons who have examined them, that 
the}' will soon become the most productive sugar lands on the 
Continent. The attention of capitalists is already attracted 



62 ORANGELAND. 



to them, and the time is close at hand when extensive sugar 
phmtations will be flounshing throughout these valleys. 

There are also tins orange lands here, while the situa- 
tion so far south insures safety against frost for the most seti- 
sitive of the tropical and semi-tropicaf fruits. 

Apply to W. T. FoRUES. Land Com'r, 

Jacksonville, Fla. 



SANFORD.. 

The town of Sanford was founded about the year 1872,. 
but its material prosperity may be dated from the building of 
the Sanford House, which was opened to the public on the 
6th ot January, 1876. Up to that time the place contained a 
dry goods and grocery store, drug store and postoffice, print- 
ing ofHce, saw mill. Episcopal church, two residences and. 
wharf. Witness the change of eight years. Now it has a. 
city government and embraces within its corporate limits, 
nearly one thousand souls, and the following business re- 
sume": Four mammoth general merchandise stores, tivu- 
groceries, two drug stores, vegetable store, bazaar of fash- 
ion, dry goods and clothing store, saddle and harness, 
shop, hardware store, two sash, door, blind and paint- 
stores, two furniture stores, two wagon shops, two mer- 
chant tailore, newspaper and job otlice, bank, jewelry 
and curiosity store, two restaurants, vegetable store, bakery,, 
soda bottling establishment, two livery stables, three hotels, 
four or live boarding houses, mammoth saw mill, two barber-^ 
shops, dental office, orange packing house, four law offices,, 
four physicians, two land agencies, door, sash, blind and 
scroll work manufactory, sportsmen's outlitting establishment, 
and various other small industries. Beside these, the car 
w'orks and machine shops of the South Florida Railroad are 
located here, which furnish employment for a large number 
of men. The Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Methodist de- 
nominations have each a neat house of worship, and the pub- 
lic school is attended by over 100 pupils. 

Sanford is located 200 miles south of Jacksonville, on 
the south margin of Lake Monroe, a beautitu! sheet of water 
five by seven miles in extent, through which the noble St. 
Johns river flows. The town is situated on land that rises to. 
an elevation of 25 feet above the lake, thus rendering it sus-- 
oeptible of the best drainage, and insuring its health. 

The town is supplied with water by the Sanford Water 
Works Co., which brings the water from a large, clear water- 



O R ANGEL AND . 6;^ 



lake three miles distant, which water works is used by the 
tire department incase of lire. 

This is virtually the head of navio^ation tor larp'e steam- 
ers, and we have, during the winter (or orange) season some 
thirty-tive arrivals and departures of steamers weekly. As 
a commercial point Sanford has no equal in the State, except 
Jacksonville, Fernandi'na and Pensacola. Small steamers run 
from here to the famous Indian river country, and the South 
Florida Railroad, now running from here to Kissimmee, 
the fountain head of all the great Lake Okeechobee region, 
will soon be completed to Tampa, which will make this road 
the great thoroughfare for tourists and trafnc to Cuba and 
Havana. With all these advantages, the town has a bright 
future before it. 

Through various sources the town has already acquired 
a wide fame. First, through the influence and liberality of 
its tbunder, Hon. H. S. Sanford, formerly U. S. Minister to 
Belgium. Second, through the visit of Gens. U. S. Grant 
and Sheridan, some three 3'ears since, when Grant turned 
the lirst shovel of dirt on the South Florida railroad. Third, 
through the visit of President x\rthur and party, last spring, 
who spent a delightlul period at the Sanford House. As a 
business point, and for a winter resort it has no superior in 
the State. 



CAPT. RICHARD II. MARKS. 

Capt. Richard H. Marks, of the Orange County Land 
Agency, with headquarters at Santbrd, came to Orange 
county fltteen years ago and is probably as well posted about 
Florida lands as any man in the county. He certainly ought 
to be, as his tacilities have certainly been splendid. He also 
knows how to make an orange grove. As proof of this lie 
has made the flnest one hundred acre grove in the county, 
and he is now offering to sell it for $125,000. He is handling 
a great many line orange groves on commission and claims 
that no other agent can ofter better bargains than he can. 
He is agent for the Florida Land and Improvement Company 
in this county. He also has a fine selection of U. S. Lands 
which he offers to enter for $2 per acre. These lands are 
not in Orange count}', but in Polk and Hernando counties. 

He has on his books, tor sale, a ^■ery large and well as- 
sorted list of properties of all kinds ; orange groves, orange 
lands, town lots in Sanford and Kissimmee and at other 
points along the railroad. He invites anyone coming to 



64 ORANGELAND. 



Floiida to give him a call, and feels confident that he will 
be able to render assistance in making selections. 

He charges nothing for showing you propert}', and if he 
eannot show vou what 3'ou want he does not ask 3'ou to buy. 

He claims to have sold more land during the last twelve 
months than any other agent in the county, and he makes it 
a mle to tr}' to sell you just what he thinks will suit you, as he 
claims that"^it does not pa}' him to sell a man property that he 
«\-ill be dissatisfied with. The best friends he has are men 
who have bought property through his agenc}^ His office is 
centrally located in Sanford, corner Palmetto Avenue and 
First Street, where he will be glad to meet any one interested 
m Florida. He is getting out a new list of "properties for 
vale," which he will mail to all applicants. 



J. J. BUCHHEIT'S 

DINING ROOMS AND HOTEL 

On Palmetto street are the headquarters for those desir- 
ing the best of eatables, cooked to perfection and served in an 
autistic manner for a very moderate price. Mr. Buchheit is 
iin experienced and accomplished restaurantier, and those 
who are so fortunate as to partake of the excellent fare he 
provides will not go away disappointed, but will return at the 
tirst opportunity. 

The papers of this section pronounce his place the "Del- 
monico" of the South, and we judge the compliment to be 
well deserved, the bill of fare, style of cooking, etc., being 
well calculated to please. His hotel is centrally situated at 
Sanford and easy of access from depot and steamboat land- 
Injis. Rooms are furnished if desired. 



CAPT. J. z. McDonald. 

The estate of the genial Capt. McD. comprises some 
600 acres of the best land in this section of the country, just 
north of Longwopd, which is his postofilce. Born in Buffalo, 
N. Y., he came here from Ohio in 1874, '^""^^ ^^^^ ^M"* ^ ^'"^^ 
liomestead to which he has since added by purchase. Then 
the countr}' was a wilderness. He now has twent3-four 
acres of orange groves — some bearing — a very pleasant and 
deliciousl}' comfortable house. The yard is covered with 
'.igorous Bermuda grass, dotted here and there with fine 
trees and beautiful flowers, that attract the attention of the 



ORANGELAND. 65 



passengers as the cars of the South Florida Raih-oad pause 
at the station and give rise to exclamations of delight. 

Two-thirds of his choice location are tine bottom lands, 
lying both sides of Soldier creek in its circuitous course. 
The balance is rolling, high pine land. These bottom lands 
are the natural home of the orange, and the wild sour and 
bitter sweet oranges found growing here have been trans- 
planted over a large extent of the surrounding country. The 
oth^r native trees are cabbage palm, gum trees, tuber, sweet 
and black ; hickor3% native poplar, whitewood or tulip, bass 
wood, oak — live, water, white, turkey and post ; ironwood, 
cedar, cypress, elm ; white, red and magnolia bay ; ash, mul- 
berry of large size, wild orange, bucke3'e, or horse chestnut, 
sweet elder, very large, etc., etc. Here, too, is an immense 
cypress tree, the largest probably in South Florida, fourteen 
feet eight inches in diameter near the ground, and estimated 
to be ten feet through at eight}' feet altitude. Near by are 
immense whitewood trees that would attract attention were 
they not dwarted by this giant. 

Capt. McDonald proposes to sell either high pine or bot- 
tom lands to actual settlers in quantities to suit at moderate 
prices, and gives an excellent opportunity to those desiring 
to raise groves or vegetable gardens, as he has lands pecul- 
iarly adapted to either, or both, as may be seen from what 
he has accomplished. Those desiring a home should inves- 
tigate the inducements he others. 



LONGWOOD. 



Longwood is located nine and one-half miles from San- 
ford, and is the lirst station of importance on the South Flor- 
ida Railroad after leaving the latter place. The elevation is 
seventy-six feet above Lake Monroe ; the country is perfect- 
ly healthy the year round, and, though inclining to be flat 
where the village is located, the general character of the 
land is high, rolling pine of the first qualit}', heavil}' timber- 
ed and interspersed with beautiful clear water lakes. It is 
not claimed that our lands are any better than those of our 
neighbors, but as good, and there are more acres of first 
quality orange lands tributary to Longwood than to an}- other 
place on the South Florida Railroad. This countrj- is thickly 
settled by a well-to-do and educated class, making the vil- 
lage one of the best places for business in the State. 

Longwood was first settled in 1873, by Mr. E. W. Henck, 
of Boston, the projector and first President of the South Flor- 

5 



66 ORANGELAND. 



ida Railroad, He was soon followed by Julius Molnar, a 
young Hungarian, who was without means, but who, by push, 
energy and indomitable will, has made one of the finest 
orange groves in the county, and he is not only the owner of 
this valuable propert\% but is the foremost merchant of the 
town, canning as heavy and fine a stock of general merchan- 
dize as can be found in any of the towns of South Florida. 

The next settler was J. N. Tearcy, of Tennessee, who 
starting without capital has raised a fine orange grove and is 
one of our solid men. A. Meuser, a German, also without 
means, came in 1874. ^^ ^^^^ been one of the ablest and 
most helpful of the promoters of our town ; he was one of the 
original directors of the South Florida Railroad, and the 
hardest worker in making that road a success. The most 
unswerving integrity and unusual pluck and push have made 
him one of our foremost citizens. Mr. J. II. Wooldridge, of 
Kentucky, has also become a successful merchant ; he was 
one of our original settlers and started at the bottom. We 
mention these gentlemen as evidence that men of the right 
stufi' can start in this country without money and succeed. 
Our other merchants are Mr. C. V. S. Wilson, general mer- 
chandise : A. W. Thompson, grocery, restaurant and board- 
ing-house ; Edward Molnar, baker^• : J. L. Ball, hay and 
grain; F. Holborn, jeweler; Mrs. Ilolborn, millinery : H. 
Hemingway, drugs ; T. Griggs, butcher ; John Stewart, res- 
taurant. Of course we have a billiard room. A hardware 
store is much needed, and several boarding houses would do 
a thri\'ing business, as Longwood is the point of departure 
for passengers and mails to Altamonte and Apopka. Our 
physicians are Dr. II. Hemingway, (allopathic,) late of Lon- 
don, England, and Dr. Charles E. Walker, (homeopathic,) 
late of Natick, Mass., both gentlemen of large experience 
and successful practice. 

Our chief industry is a sash, door and blind factt)ry and 
saw mill, the only establishment of the kind in the State. 
Everything requisite for building a house is turned out at this 
factory, and machinery for making furniture is to be added 
at once. The fine mantels, panel work and doors, made 
from our beautiful Florida woods, are already becoming 
famous. This enterprise is owned and conducted by Mr. P. 
A. Demens, whose energy is dcnng wonders for this section of 
the county. INIr. Demens will add an ice factory the coming 
winter. 

A fine wagon and blacksmith shop is owned by Henry 
Hand, whose fine work is becoming widely known. Other 
manufactories will probably soon follow, as land is ofi'ered 



ORANGELAND. 6/ 



free to all enterprises of an}- nature that will benefit the town. 

Carpenters and other workingmen are in great demand. 
Sash and door makers and other wood workers are being 
added constantly to the force in oui factorv. Any man will- 
ing to work can find employment here at good wages. 

Regular services are held in a neat Episcopal chin-ch. 
The colored people have a Baptist church and are about to 
erect a school house. The Presbyterians, Baptists and Meth- 
odists also hold weekly services. The school house for white 
children is one of the finest in South Florida, and our school 
well taught and well attended. Our society is the best from 
North, South, East and West, and the stranger, no matter 
whence he comes, w^ill find some one here from his home 
place or its immediate vicinit3^ 

The necessary steps have been taken to obtain a local 
government, and Longwood will, on December 3d, 1883, be- 
come an incorporated town, w'hen sidewalks will be laid, 
shade trees planted, and the streets improved. We shall 
then strive to earn the name of being the thriftiest and clean- 
est town in South Florida. 

Longwood, already noted for its excellent water and 
general healthfulness, olTers in its immediate vicinity the 
finest of orange lands at prices which defy competition. We 
ofi:er low prices with the best facilities in transportation, there 
being but ten miles of rail to the St. Johns river, whence 
traffic is cheap and speedy ; we offer the finest school and 
church facilities and daily mail and telegraph : we offer 
health to the invalid and the best of sport to the sportsman : 
we offer cheap homes and steady work to the workingman, 
good opportunities to business men, and superior investments 
to capitalists. Though we have no regular land agent here, 
strangers will find a hearty welcome and those who will will- 
ingly give them every facility for seeing the country witliout 
expense. Letters enclosing stamp and addressed to E. W. 
Henck & Co., will be promptly and cheertully answered. 



ALTAMONTE. 

Altamonte is located ten miles north of Orlando, thirteen 
miles southwest of Sanford and two miles west of Snovv"s sta- 
tion on the South Florida Railroad, on beautiful, high, roll- 
ing pine land, with now and then a little rich hammock. It 
has for special attractions the famous Hoosier and Shepherd 
Springs, and charming Lake Brantley. The soil is generally 
of a steel gray color on top, with the ^-ellow subsoil and clay 



68 ORANGELAND. 



iindenieath, or what has become so well known as the best 
orange land of Florida. The climate, like that of all other 
high lands in South Florida, is perfectly healthy the year 
round, and many people who are abundantl}' able to choose 
their place of residence, live here summers and winters in 
preference to other countries. Many of the best people of 
Michigan, Ohio and Massachusetts, have been attracted to 
Altamonte by its favorable location for health and successful 
orange raising, and the thrift and intelligence of its inhabit- 
ants, who are almost entirely Northern people. Enough 
men of wealth and influence are already interested here to 
insure the future growth and success of the place, and the 
thousands of thrifty young trees, shrubs, plants, etc.. of ever}- 
variety that grows in Southern lands, will attest to the rich- 
siess of its soil as well as the patience and energy of the few 
who came here ten or twelve years ago with nothing but their 
hands for capital, and who started the change that must in a 
few years make a blooming garden of what was then a silent 
wilderness. Hoosier and Shephard Springs have a wonder- 
ful attraction for the Northern visitor, and he exxlaims, "Well ! 
well ! !'' while they throw their crvstal waters out and form a 
small lake so clear that one would sa}" thev were but a few 
inches in depth where they are many feet I The water as a 
bath, or taken inwardly, is ver}- beneticial to patients troub- 
led with rheumatism or an}* blood diseases, being strongly 
impregnated with sulphur and other minerals. Lake Brant- 
iev has a surface of about ore square mile, and ofters a 
splendid place for Ashing, bathing, etc. The oldest orange 
groves at Altamonte have been set from ten to twelve years, 
but only two or three had been put out up to 1874 ^^' ^^75' 
and it was still three or four years later before people had 
enough faith in orange raising to go into it to any extent. 
Now there are new groves being started in all directions, 
while ten to Ht'teen thousand bearing trees bend beneath their 
heavy loads of fruit this year. Here can be seen seedling 
trees that have been set only nine or ten years, with from 
1,000 to 1,500 oranges on each, and budded trees that have 
been out only four vears, with Irom 200 to 500 oranges on 
each. Here are young groves that have cost considerably 
less than $1,000, that to-day would easily sell for -t 2, 500, and 
still better, larger ones that have cost $3,000 or $4,000 that 
are now worth $10,000 to $15,000. Still this is no more than 
uny grove will do in a good location, when cared for by a 
thorough and experienced man, and only goes to show that 
Uiere is no investment in the world equal to a good orange 
trrove. 



ORANGELAND. 69 



The permanent inhabitants of Altamonte will number 
about 200, besides the great rush of Northern visitors who 
stay there only through the winter. The Michigan peo- 
ple are clustering" around Hoosier Springs and Lake Brantlov 
principally, while those from Massachusetts are interested 
near Snow's Station and Shephard Springs, and those from 
Ohio in still another direction. With all her natural attrac- 
tions, and her wealthy and influential men, i\ltamonte ma}' 
certainly look forward to a prosperous and brilliant future- 



MAYO. 

Four miles south of Longwood and fourteen from San- 
ford is Mayo Station, where are located several important 
industries, and about which in every direction are promising 
orange and lemon groves. The land is high and rolling 
pine, though just at the depot is a small patch of scrub which 
aftbrds excellent and healthv building sites. 

The lirst thing that attracts the attention is the large and 
well arranged saw and planing mill, with a capacity of 8,000 
feet per day, owned and run by Messrs. Nevins & Prentis. 
About the mill yard are extensive piles of lumber ready for 
use. To the west is Lake Seminary, a pretty sheet of water, 
on w^hich Dr. Nevins has a little steamer and several row 
boats. East of the track are several small and not spetiialh' 
attractive cabins, but as the primitive period is past thev will 
doubtless soon give place to handsome and substantial build- 
ings. 

Just south of the saw mill is the ice factory of Dr. R. 11. 
Nevins that has supplied this section and towns along the_^ 
South Florida Railroad with ice for several years past- It 
originated from small beginnings, a little Pictet ice machine, 
with which the Dr. supplied his own household. Others 
wanted ice and the demand was so pressing that in 1880 he 
secured a machine with a dail}?^ capacity of 2,500 pounds. 
The demand greatly exceeding the supply, in 1881 he in- 
creased the capacity to 5,000 pounds. This however did not 
keep pace with the development of the country and the past 
summer the Doctor has built an immense new building a lit- 
tle farther south and put in an entirely new ice machine with 
all the latest improvements that will make twelve tons (24.- 
000 pounds) of ice daily. It is frozen in large oblong blocks 
and is very firm, clear and pure, better even and more last- 
ing than lake ice. With so largely increased capacit}- he 
will doubtless be able to supply a large scope of countr}-- 



^O ORANGELAND. 



Opposite the new ice factory, east of the raih-oad, Mr. J. 
A, Prentis has built a hne two story packinij^ house where 
many thousands of the oranges and lemons raised in this 
vicinity will doubtless be assorted, wrapped, packed, brand- 
ed and shipped for market. Just north of Mr. P's place is a 
small country store. To the east are occasional indications 
of.piney woods and black jack and other oaks, though much 
lias been cleared and the place supplied with numerous 
orange groyes. Mere, too, is the direct Maitland & Lake 
Jesup road, handsomely coyered with saw dust. It runs di- 
rectly through the homestead of 

COL. RUDOLPH G. MAYO, 

the pioneer settler of the place. He was born in Saxony, 
and came in 1849 ^^ Virginia. In January, 1875, he came 
to Florida, and looking oyer a part of the State inyested on 
the Hillsborough riyer, a few miles south of New Smyrna. 
Continuing his trayels oyer a considerable part of the State, 
he settled on his present beautiful location, and commenced 
its improyement, it suiting him the best of any place he had 
seen. All about him were the pine}- woods interspersed with 
oak and a few unoccupied homesteaders' cabins, the home- 
stead laws being enforced yery loosely at that time. 

The part of his land to the east of Neyins & Prentis he 
has laid out into lots 100 x 300 feet and sold a number. A 
few ayres in the southeast corner fronting on a beautiful lake 
with part of his groye, he has just sold to Mr. A. F. Acker- 
man, of Staunton, Va. Between this and his home lot is a 
tine bay coyered with heayy growth and tilled with muck of so 
tine quality that it brings $3 a cord as a lertilizer. 

The Col. has a yer}- line pine apple plantation of 13.500 
plants, from which he derives a handsome income. On his 
residence lot are some 500 trees from three to ten years old, 
mostly budded. Besides these he has in groye 50ohye years 
old trees, 200 three, 200 two, 6,000 nursery trees, three to 
rtye years old, and 30,000 one to two years old. The trees 
in grove are all budded and he has a number of the tinest 
Mandarin orange trees we have seen, trees that bear remark- 
ably large oranges, and one of yery hne flavor ribbed fruit. 
He also has camphor trees, other trees in great variety, ver}- 
line lemons, variegated orange and lemon trees, etc. 

His residence is on a handsome knoll overlooking a 
beautiful lake, with lovely shores and shady retreats. Around 
the house are a profusion of flowers and trailing yines. But 
the house itself is a beauty and unique, one of the very tiest 
contriyed, flnished and arranged in South Florida. To his 



OR ANGEL AND. 



l^enial and accomplished lady is given the credit of its con- 
ception. 

DR. R. H. NEVINS 

Has a loveh' home to the west of Lake Seminary and 
northeast of Lakes Faith, Hope and Charity, pleasant bodies 
of water about a mile long. He has one of the largest and 
linest houses in South Florida, two stories in height, with 
broad piazzas, wide halls, high ceilings and attractive finish. 
It affords magnificent views in every direction. About the 
house are many flowers and the pillars and lattice work of 
the piazzas are covered with climbing jassamine and other 
vines. His line bearing grove, stables, etc., are a few rods to 
the northwest. He has 700 trees of varied ages in grove, 
and some 4,000 nursery trees. The Doctor came here in 
1879 tVom Waterford, Conn, 

MR. J. A. PRENTIS, 

Who came from New London, Conn., in November, 
1881, has a fine thrifty grove of 1,400 trees, part bearing. 
Some are seedlings five to ten 3'ears old, and some budded 
from one to four 3'ears. Whoever has occasion to deal with 
any of the gentlemen mentioned will find them courteous, 
agreeable and straightforward in every respect. 

THE QUINNIPIAC FERTILIZER COMPANY, 

Of New London, Conn., is here represented by John A. 
Prentis. This Company have, the first year, put on the 
market the Fish Bone and Potash brand of their tertilizer, 
and the success attained has lead to the establishment at 
Mayo of a distributing warehouse for the further introduction 
of their goods. 

MR. W. S. CHAPPELL, 

Of New London, is engaged in the packing business in 
connection with his business at the North, thus enabling the 
orange growers of this section to place their products with- 
out the trouble of packing, shipping and sending to markets 
which may be overstocked, and also saving all delay in re- 
turns. This is an enterprise which we have long required, 
and cannot fail of success. 



72 ORANGELAND. 



MAITLAND. 

One of the most beautiful, most healthful and most cel- 
ebrated places in South Florida is Maitland, and many 
writers have been very enthusiastic in its praise, its thriftv 
orange groves and lovelv scenery having a world wide repu- 
tation. 

The South Florida railroad, which has so greatly aided in 
the development of the country, passes directly through the 
pretty village, which is fifteen miles south of Sanford and six 
north of Orlando, the county seat. Here are numerous pleas- 
ant residences surrounded by fruitful groves, and the 3-ards 
are adorned with shrubbery, climbing vines, roses, etc., and 
the bloom of flowers may be seen during the entire year. 

The lands are mostlv high pine with here and there a 
piece of rich hammock or bay especially desirable for vege- 
table gardens. Beautiful clear water lakes delight the view 
from nearly every point and Lake Maitland is connected by 
a running stream with a chain of smaller lakes that will 
eventually be opened up for row and sail boats. The lakes 
are well stocked with fish. 

Maitland is ninety feet above the St. Johns river and the 
climate is all that can be desired and very beneficial to weak 
and delicate constitutions. The place is also very free from 
insects and poisonous snakes. Society is excellent, people 
of means and culture from all parts of Union making their 
homes here, and there is as much freedom of thought and 
action as in any other part of the country. 

Here are two first-class hotels, a number of boarding 
houses. Episcopal, Methodist and Roman Catholic churches, 
public and private schools, three good general merchandise 
stores, drug store, postotfice, telegraph otlice, town hall, livery 
stable, and nearby a saw mill, ice factory, dairy farm, etc. 
In this center of a delightful region is 

MR. R.T. PATTON's REAL ESTATE AND LAND AGENCY. 

Mr. P. has endeared himself to all the people of this 
section, and those who have had dealings with him, or the 
pleasure of his acquaintance, rind him uniformly courteous, 
wide-awake and attentive to business and strictly reliable in 
all his statements and transactions. 

He has scores of places on his books, both improved and 
unimproved, and one of the very rinest teams in this section. 
He makes it his business to show the country to prospective 
buvers free of cliarge and being well posted on qualities of 
lands and their values present and prospective, he rarely lails 



ORANGELAND. 



73 



to give the best of satisfaction to those seeking a delightful 
home or opportunities for profitable investment. 

He has quite a number of places suited to men of mod- ■ 
erate means that he is selling at remarkably low prices, man}/ - 
of them partially improved and with a few trees in bearing, . 
Those seeking homes in this delightful countr^• should not faii ' 
to see what genuine bargains he can ofler before purchasing- 
else where. 

The man of means who desires a healthful, lovely and 
profitable home should see some of the tine places on Mr. 
Patton's list. We would especially note one of tilty-one (51) 
acres on high rolling ground fronting on one of the most 
lovely lakes in this section. Here are 3,700 orange trees. 
1,000 bearing and the others beginning to bear, 10,000 pine 
apple plants, in vigorous condition and fruiting heavil}', very 
fine and choice specimens and varieties, bananas, guavas and' 
numerous other fruits that thri\'e in this locality. 

The residence is a very hue one, the buildings costing 
$13,000. About it are the varied kinds of shrubbery foi 
\yhich Orange county is noted and flowers in profusion. 
The views from the varied parts of the residence are lovely in 
the extreme and no locality can possibly be more healthfuk. 
It is also ver}^ near railroad, telegraph, churches, schools, 
stores and other concomitants of modern civilization. 

A couple of other places that Mr. Patton has lor sale arc 
briefly described as follows : 

Beautiful place on Lake Maitland, handsome new house, 
modern villa style, eight rooms, closets, store rooms, ser- 
vants' quarters, etc., 15 acres of land frontingon lake. There 
are 375 orange trees, 200 bearing, rest to bear within a 3'ear, 
man}' budded with flnest imported varieties. Forty bearing' 
lemons and limes ; 100 bearing guava bushes, 300 pineapple.s. 
and other small fruits. Place pays good percentage or^ 
value, and in all respects is one of the most desirable in 
Orange county. Price, $18,000. 

Thirty-flve acres adjoining above, all cleared and plant- 
ed in orange trees, 1,100 budded with flnest native and im- 
ported varieties : a number bearing and all to bear within 
two years if kept in their present thrifty condition. Fine gar- 
den spot fenced in and under cultivation. Beautiful building 
site on Lake Maitland, commanding a view of Lake Minne- 
haha. Price, $8,000. 

Will sell both places for $25,000. The flfty acres mak- 
ing one of the handsomest estates in the county, near trans- 
portation, convenient to churches, etc., and in the midst of 
flrst-class society. 



^74 



OR ANGEL AND. 



JUDGE W. H. M CRAYER S GROVE. 

Conspicuous among the flourishing groves of Orange 
countv is that of Judge W. II. McBrayer, an enterprising- 
capitalist of Kentuckv, who was attracted by the beauty of 
the countr^■ and the rich promises of the future. His orange 
ijrove lies "along the margin of a trio of beautiful lakes. Faith, 
llope and Charit}', a half mile northwest of the prosperous 
viHage of Maitla'nd. It contains 4,000 budded trees ot uni- 
form size, fresh and vigorous. Between Lakes Hope and 
Charity lies a picturesque island, densely shaded with oak 
and pine, a famous trysting place for the youth of the sur- 
rounding country, and a delightful resort for excursionists. 
On the opposing sides of the lakes the enterprising owner 
contemplates further and extensive improvements in the way 
of groves and buildings. A broad and well shaded avenue 
leads from the main road to this delightful spot, and tourists 
and travelers can easily find access and a hospitable wel- 
come. The place is in care of Mr. S. F. Hicks, an experi- 
enced orange culturist, who attends to the interests of his 
principal during his absence. 



WINTER PARK. 

This delightful and attractive locality, destined to speedy 
development as the home of people of wealth culture and 
refinement, is situated on the South Florida railroad seventeen 
miles south of Sanlord and four north of Orlando, on the 
beautiful Lake Osceola. One especially attractive feati.re 
here is 

THE ROGERS HOUSE, 

Pleasantlv situated on the high shore of the lake, giving 
a delightful \-iew. It is but a few rods from the Depot. The 
rooms are light, air}' and reasonably commodious, the table 
is excellent and terms are reasonable. It is a delightful hos- 
telry for the tourist, the business man or the winter visitor. 
Here one linds pure spring water, health giving air, tine op- 
]5ortunities for boating and iishing, etc. In brief no more 
))leasant resting place can be found in Florida and Mr. A. E. 
Rogers, the proprietor, and his excellent lady use every possi- 
ble etlbrt to make their guests stay agreeable, and they suc- 
<:eed. 



ORANGELAND. 75 



OSCEOLA. 

This lovelv and peaceful locality, named from the friend- 
ly- Indian chief who had his headquarters here, lies to the 
eastward of several of the most beautiful lakes in Florida. Its 
lands are excellent and it is surpassed in no respect. It is 
near the 28th degree of latitvide and is one mile east of the 
Winter Park station on the South Florida Railroad. Here 
are numerous beautiful bearing groves, besides thousands of 
trees of the citrus familv that will soon be laden with golden 
fruit. 

The lakes are five in number: Osceola, Mizell, (named 
after the first living settler. Judge J. R. Mizell, who has the 
very best of lands and a fine bearing grove,) Berry, Virginia, 
and Maitland, and thev are unsurpassed anywhere. It is in 
fact one of the choicest of locations in Florida. 

MR. EDGAR RICHMOND 

Has a ver}- fine place at the east of this charming hamlet, 
with a fine two story house, commodious barns and a full 
suppl}' of teams, agricultural tools, implements, etc. His 
land is principally high pine, but he has about twenty acres 
of choice hammock and bay lands, and a muck bed of about 
twenty acres of so fine quality that it sells for $3 per cord in 
situ, being a valuable tertilizer for pine lands. 

He came here from Illinois in October, 1878, and took 
lip a homestead. All was covered with the primeval forest 
characteristic of Florida. But intelligent and earnest eftbrt 
works surprising changes and the woods have given place to 
cultivated fields and flourishing groves. He now has 500 
thrifty, budded orange trees, 100 budded Sicily and Villa 
Frank lemon trees, some in bearing, besides guavas, ban- 
anas, pineapples, pomgranates, LeConte pears, grapes, ever 
bearing mulberries, etc. His 3'ard is ornamented with verv 
fine rose bushes, ivvs, honeysuckle and other trailing vines, 
oleander, etc., a variety of shrubbery and flowers in abun- 
dance, his excellent and accomplished wife being a great 
lover of the beautiful and untiring in her eflbrts to make a 
lovelv home, and she has met with wonderful success. 

Besides ten acres in grove he has twenty acres in vege- 
tables, and his lands are enclosed by substantial wire fences. 
Though his wife and himself and his two children have staid 
here winter and summer all these years, they have had no 
occasion for the services of a physician, and are naturally 
delighted with the country and have a place that could not 
be bought for .$25,000. 



y6 ORANGEIi.VND.. 



JUDGE JOHN R. MIZELL, 

The deputy U. S. Marshal, has one of the very tinest tracts 
of lOO acres of lands in this section. This land is mostly the- 
very best of the rolling, high pine lands of the State, and is a 
portion of a tratt purchased by his father, David Mizell, in 
1858, and where he brought up a large family long betore 
the days of orange groves, securing a competency by general 
agriculture and stock raising, the land producing excellent 
cotton, sugar cane, corn, potatoes, peas, vegetables, etc., and 
being more free from frost than most localities. 

Judge Mizell has a very pleasant residence surrounded 
by a variety of beautiful trees, shrubs and flowers in great 
abundance!^ He has a fine bearing grove of 500 thrifty orange- 
and lemon trees and about 2,500 not yet come into bearing, 
and the number will increase annually. His residence over- 
looks lour beautiful lakes and he has, without exaggeration,, 
one of the finest locations in Florida, as well as one of the- 
most healthful, his four children never having required the 
services of a physician though the eldest is fourteen. This 
tine place could not be purchased for less than .t3C ,000. 



MR. W^ILSON PHELPS,. 

A native of New York, came to Osceola, Oct. 20th, 1874.. 
from Illinois and located a homestead, afterwards purchas- 
ing more land. The following winter he cleared land and 
set out nearly 1,100 trees in grove form, besides a nursery- of 
1 ,000 trees, and planted orange seed from which he raised over 
1 0,000 trees. Since then he has added to his groves from 
year to }'ear and there are now in grove 3,600 trees that he set 
out, a portion of which he has sold. He has all the leading 
•and popular varieties of fruit most prized for eating and tran.s- 
portation : oranges, limes, lemons, guavas, pine apples, Le- 
Conte pears, Surinam cherries, Japan persimmons. Scupper- 
nong grapes and other varieties too numerous to mention. 
Mr. Phelps has an elegant two story residence and as line- 
grounds as are likely to be found in South Florida. His lo- 
cation is also most excellent and affords a lovely view of land 
and water. He came for the benefit of his health and has- 
found what he sought as well as material prosperity. 



•OR ANGEL AND. 77 



MR. H. H. BERRY, 

A veritable pioneer, came from Tallahassee and located 
a homestead in 1872, giving it such attention as the law at 
that time reqiiried. A few years since he moved here with his 
family and gave his whole attention to his place, wagon mak- 
ing and general blacksmithing, employing several men. 
He has just removed his shop to Orlando. He has a tine 
grove of 300 trees, partly bearing, set out in 1874, ^^^^ ^^5 
set two years since. Being one of the tirst settlers, as a nat- 
ural consequence he has very tine land, a selection of the 
best. As a matter of course his excellent wile has the house 
surrounded by a profusion of flowers, etc. 

Mli. A. E. ROGERS, 

Until recently- the village store keeper, has a pretty place 
with 400 trees, about 100 of which are nine to ten ^'ears old, 
and part bearing. The balance are two and three years old. 
Mr. Comstock has a verv fine place, cared for bv Mr. 
Wilson Phelps ; Messrs. E. KT Pierce, B. L. Clark and R. H. 
Tha3'er from Massachusetts, have very pretty places with 
voung groves, and Mr. Li\'ingston, the postmaster, has a 
pleasant place. There are several other impro\ed places. 



FORMOSA. 

This charming locality is situate immediately north of 
and adjacent to Wilcox, but separated from Wilcox by the 
creek which connects Lakes Ivanhoe and Formosa. This is 
Howell creek, which passing through Lakes Rowena, Sue, 
Virginia, Mizell, Osceola, Maitland and Howell, empties 
into Lake Jesup between Tuscawilla and Clifton Springs. 
By dredging and locks steamboat communication can be had 
with Lake Jesup, thence ad iuJinitiiJii. Mr. Burleigh's saw, 
planing, lath and shingle mills. Gov. Sinclair's cotton gins, 
grist mill and starch factory, are its manufacturing interests. 
Beautiful lakes — Ivanhoe, Formosa, Rowena, Sue andEstell. 
Here are the splendid groves of Messrs. Wheeler, Sinclair, 
Prof. Logan, Allen, Kollock, Do^le, Sanxay, Shattucks and 
Jacocks ; some are bearing, the others well established and 
thrifty, all made without the aid of commercial fertilizer to 
any great extent, and notably Jacocks' grove, which has 
been brought to bearing solely by dint of direct study of the 
/lozc to grow an orange tree without such aid. Jacocks ma}' 
be classed the pioneer and began without means, his onh' 
capital being determination to succeed. Then it required 
3,ierv£, becaus.e of distance from public transportation, the 



^8 ORAXGELAND, 



sparcit}' of settlers and impecunious circumstances of some. 
Being a judge of good land, a studious operator at the hoe, 
plow and ax, and adroit in judicious pruning and budding, 
he is almost in the enjoyment of the end determined on. 
Others recognizing his skill and superior training in the cul- 
ture of the orange'and other fruits, gave him superintendency 
of their interests, and he has in charge several groves that he 
resurrected and now has them far advanced. He makes 
grove culture a specialty, and is always watchful of his patrons' 
interests, advancing their interests by strict application and a 
knowledge of what is needed. Parties just beginning to set 
groves, and non-residents notably, would save money by se- 
curing the services of Mr. Jacocks, giving him cai'tc hiaiir/ic 
commission. Faithful, true and tried, he is an arboriculturist 
of true merit. 



WILLCOX. 

GRO\'E OF DR. GEORGE F. SHATTUCK. 

Do you desire a lovely view 4 one of the most lovely in 
South Florida, amid delightful surroundings, where every 
prospect pleases and the very atmosphere is instinct with 
health and buoyant life? Then take your stand on the spot 
where Dr. Sha'ttuck, an eminent physician, whose office is at 
1232 S. Tenth St., Philadelphia, Pa., proposes to locate his 
winter home. His lot of 21^ acres is bounded on the north 
by Lake Estell, east by Lake Rowena, and south by Lake 
Formosa — all lovelv lakes. To the west is the beautiful plat 
of 25 acres of J. P. Sanxay, Esq., of Brooklyn, N. Y., of 
whom Dr. S. purchased his tract the tirst of last January, 
.through Sinclair's enterprising and reliable land agency of 
Orhuido, the hrm mentioned being Hon. J. G. Sinclair and 
N. L. Mills, Esq.. gendemen with whom it is a pleasure to 
deal. 

Yet west comes the lot of C. W. Jacocks, Esq., the 
treasurer of Orange county, with his tine residence and at- 
tractive grove. North and west is Mr. AL J. Doyle's tine 
bearing "grove of six acres. Beautiful lakes and choice 
groves" meet the eve on every hand, and the South Florida 
railroad passes through on the west: also the county road. 
So delighted was the Doctor with his investment of .$2,450 
for this choice section that he immediately made a New 
Year's present of it to his wife, and consigned it to the con- 
scientious care of C. W. Jacocks, Esq., with instructions to 
make the best possible grove, using the very best quality of 
everything needful, and that too without stint. Everybody 



ORANGELAND. 79 



knows that Jacocks knows how to make a grove, and also 
whether it be trees, fertilizers or labor he will have none but 
the best. 

He has already set out some twelve acres, some 600 
orange, 500 lemon and 100 lime trees. Also a tew peach, 
LeConte pear and fig trees, and soon expects to have out 
olives, citron, Japan persimmon, grapes, bananas, pineapples, 
guavas, English walnuts, almond and pecan trees, and in fact 
as large a variety of growths as give any promise of being 
adapted to the soil and climate. 

Dr. Shattuck, a physician and surgeon of large practice., 
has traveled quite extensively North, South, East and West, 
and knowing whereof he speaks, is very enthusiastic regard- 
ing Orange county and says that that part of Florida of 
which it is the center is a great Sanitarium, and that thous- 
ands of the Northern people would prolong their lives li\'e, 
ten, and even twenty or more years if they would reside in 
Orange county from the first of November to the first of May 
of each year, and that thousands would gladly enjoy their 
time and inoney in this favored section if they were aware of 
a half the benefits and advantages they could thus secure. 
He says that take it all in all for good health and a pleasant 
place to live in there is no State equal to Florida, and that 
Orange county is for health the best part of the State. 

MR. M. COXWAV'S GRO\'E. 

To see a beautiful orange and lemon grove is a delight 
to the eye and to all the higher senses. To see and to eat of 
the golden fruit in its nati\'e lusciousness gives an increased 
feeling of sympathy for Mother Eve, and causes us to no 
longer wonder that she listened to the serpent and Adam to 
his Eve, for these golden apples of the Hesperides are the 
forbidden truit of the Jews. Thus we mused as a few days- 
since we visited the pleasant and thriving grove of M. Con- 
way, Esq., two miles northerly from his well stocked general: 
merchandise store at Wilcox. 

Mr. C. came here from Savannah, Ga., where he had had 
a life long experience in the hotel business, in 1S73, and took 
up a homestead. He returned in 1875 and has since resided 
here. He was seriously troubled with rheumatism but this 
disappeared. His homestead is fertile, rolling high pine 
land on the east shore of the beautiful Lake Killarney. He 
at first set out 400 trees, oranges, lemons, limes, etc., and 
has since added 800, Of these 100 bloomed this year, and 
he expects at least 600 next year. The grove has had but 
little attention and no fertilization until the past four years,. 



i>0 ORANGELAXD. 



but it is now in excellent condition and well cultivated. The 
fruit is of the choicest varieties. He also gives considerable 
attention to the cultivation of vegetables and the}- are in a 
very promising condition. 



TAVARES. 

THE GREAT RAILROAD CENTER OF SOUTH FLORIDA. 

The 3'oungest of all the towns of Orange county, Tavares 
is now the fourth in point of population while in present and 
growing importance it ranks lirst. 

Tavares is located on a peninsula, bounded on the nortli 
by Lake Eustis, on the south by Lake Dora and on the west 
b}- the Oclawaha river. The land around Tavares is high, 
rolling and beautiful, and consists of hammock and pine 
lands. Here can be seen the bearing grove belonging to the 
Peninsular Land. Transportation and Manufacturing Com- 
panv, containinir some of the largest trees in the c6untv. 

Tavares, as a center ol transportation, has no equal lu 
South Florida. In season of high water it is connected with 
the St. Johns river by steamboat transportation through the 
Oclawaha river. The St. Johns & Lake Eustis Railroad is 
now completed into the town and the Company has just con- 
. structed a commodious warehouse and wharf for their lake 
i business. The Transit and Peninsular Railroad, which con- 
nects with the entire railroad system of the United States, is 
-now la3'ing iron to Leesburg, and will be finished into 
Tavares the present winter. The Tavares, Orlando & At- 
lantic Railroad is now building from Tavares taward Orlando, 
and a syndicate has been formed to build the Tavares & Lake 
Monroe^ Railroad. These four lines of transportation are 

• now actuallv building. In addition, the Florida Southern and 

- the International will almost certainly extend their lines to 
rthis place so as to share in the lake business, which grows of 

• greater importance ever}- month. 

Tavares is now the commercial and traveling entreport 
for the entire section of country contiguous to Lakes Dora, 
Beauclair, Carleton, Ola and Apopka. It supplies the set- 
tlements and villages of Mount Dora, Tangerine, Sorrento, 
Zellwood, Carleton, West Apopka, Oakland, Starke Lake, 
Minneola and other points, and will, within the next three 
years, be the greatest shipping point in all this region of 
Florida. 

Situated between two large lakes Tavares is unusually 

- well protected from frosts and is widely known tor this im- 
munity from danger. Here may be seen guava trees over 



ORANGELAND. 



ten years of age. For healthfulness it has no superior in the 
State, and it has the best water for drinking purposes in this 
entire section. 

As a point for successful business enterprises, Tavares 
offers inducements far exceeding any other place in South 
Florida. At present there are but two stores there, but now 
that the railroad is operating to this point, and the steamboat 
service to the lakes is begun, a business of half a million dol- 
lars per annum awaits all who embark. A wholesale grocer^- 
store, a builders' hardware store and other mercantile ven- 
tures will pay heav}- profits. 

The lands around Tavares are peculiarly adapted to the 
cultivation of vegetables, and the closeness to transportation 
gives growers an advantage not to be found eli^ewhere. 

Town lots, villa sites, orange grove lands, can be ob- 
tained at moderate prices on advantageous terms. Building- 
lots and lumber will be givjz's to persons engaging in manu- 
facturing enterprises. 

Tavares is reached irom Jacksonville b}' the St. Johns 
river steamers to Astor, thence by rail on the St. Johns & 
Lake Eustis railroad. As soon as the Transit and Peninsular 
railroad is completed, there will be an all rail route with an}' 
part of the United States. 

As a winter resort Tavares is one of the most inviting in 
South Florida. The hunting and fishing are unequalled. 
Here is the "Peninsular Hotel," the best hotel in the Lake 
Region. The Mitchell House, now approaching completion, 
will be open in December tor the accommodation of the trav- 
eling public. 

Persons desiring further information will address the 
Peninsular Land, Transportation and Manufacturing Com- 
pau}', Tavares, Orange county, Florida. 

Alex. St. Clair-Abrams, Pres't. 
W.M. H. Latimer, Sec'v and Treas. 



EUSTIS. 

A LIVE MAN. 

John A. Macdonald of Eustis, Orange county, Florida, 
has done so much for the development of South Florida and 
Orange county in particular, that a description of the county 
and no mention of him would be like the play of Hamlet and 
Hamlet left out. With a reputation. National in its extent, 
for honesty, ability and promptness, he finds the calls upon 
him tor intormation and services so vast and wide sprend that 



82 ORANGELAND. 



he has been compelled to publish a new book, "Plain Talk 
About Florida," mailed free for 25 cents, together with his 
map of Eustis. The Lake Region, embraces most of Orange 
and part of Sumter and some of Polk county. Besides the 
immense business in private lands, he has a constantly in- 
creasing corps of correspondents who are calling on him to 
select Government lands for them. He can procure you 40 
acres of choice Orange land for $60, He has devoted 
seventeen years to the development of the United States 
lands in the State. He knows the whole region better than 
any other man living ; has settled more than two thousand 
families en prosperous and happy homes. United States 
land selected by him four 3'ears ago is now worth from $25 
to !i>400 per acre ; land selected two ^^ears ago is now worth 
$10 to $50 per acre — cost $1.25. He is now selecting Gov- 
ernment land equally as good, that in three to five years will 
be worth $100 per acre — 40 acres costs $60. If you want a 
beautiful tract of improved or unimproved land in Orange, 
Sumter, Polk, Hernando, Hillsborough, or adjoining counties, 
for a home or investment, write him and all questions will be 
truthfully answered. Pie refers to any of his settlers and to 
leading citizens in every State and Territory of the Union 
and in Canada. Sixty dollars invested now will be a home 
and a fortune in a few years. 



CHAS. T. SMITH & CO., 

General merchants. Fort Mason and Eustis, Orange county, 
Florida, have the largest and best assorted stocks to be found 
in the Lake Region. Supplies for fiuit and vegetable grow- 
ers always on hand. Cotton seed meal, Forrester and Brad- 
ley fertilizers, corn, hay, flour, etc., kept in large quantities. 
A general stock of house furnishing goods, bed room suits, 
spring bedding, etc. Domestic and New Home Sewing Ma- 
chines also kept in stock. Also a full line of metalic burial 
cases, wood caskets and coffins. 

T. T, Jackson is in charge of the Eustis house. 



DUNCAN'S BAAZAR. 

Ice cream saloon, ice lemonade, soda water, fruit, cigars, 
confectionery, oysters. 

. Samuel W. Duxcan has recently opened the above 
establishment. Being an experienced artist in the art of com- 
pounding the various cooling draughts and delicacies of such 
an establishment, he has already won an enviable reputation. 



ORANGELAND. 83 



No swill, no slops ; everything clean, neat and inviting. He 
will make a specialty of oysters in their season, and raw, 
fried or stewed, j^ou can get them. Choice apples will be a 
specialty. Orders from a distance for oranges, lemons, 
limes and guavas promptly attended to. 



THE SEMI-TROPICAL. 

This wide awake and ably edited newspaper wdiich is 
thoroughly devoted to, and pre-eminently representative of 
the interests of the "Great Lake Region," of Orange county, 
Florida, in particular, and of South Florida in general, is pub- 
lished every Saturday at the rapidly growing town of Eustis, 
situated on a lovely lake of the same name, which hopes to 
be the metropolis of that section. It gives reliable informa- 
tion on the climate, soil, productions and resources of Oran(>-e 
county. Also w^eather reports, statistics and general infor- 
mation, showing the facts in regard to all parts of the re- 
markable section of country- known as South Florida, the 
home of the orange and many other delicious semi-tropical 
fruits. 

Being particularly devoted to the interests and develop- 
ment of the lovely section of country known as the " Great 
Lake Region," it is a very valuable paper for the fruit or 
vegetable grower, the property holder, business man or pros- 
pector, and also for the home circle. All can get desirable 
information from its pages. Terms, $1.50 per 3^ear in ad- 
vance. Send for specimen copy to Geo. F. Miner, editor 
and publisher, Eustis, Fla. 



THE FLORIDA AGRICULTURAL COMPANY, LIM- 
ITED, OF LONDON, ENGLAND. 

The lands owned by this company comprise about 40,- 
000 acres, situated on Lake East Tahopekaliga. The lake 
affords a northeast water protection of six miles, and besides 
these substantial advantages offers natural attractions which 
are inseparable from so beautiful a sheet of water. 

The dredge boat of the Land and Improvement Com- 
pany is now engaged and is making rapid progress in cut- 
ting the canal between LakeTahopekaliga and East Tahope- 
kaliga and direct water cpmmunication will thus be obtained 
between the Compan^-'s lands and Kissimmee City. 

The lands are ot every quality, embracing large tracts of 
saw grass of unsurpassed fertility for the cultivation of sugar 



84 ORANGELAND. 



which it is conlidentlv believed will be drained on the com- 
pletion of the canal. 

The general appearance of the high lands is rolling and 
attractive, the situation and the soil offering every advantage 
for the cultivation of the orange and the whole citi^us family. 
Patches of high hammock are scattered throughout the prop- 
erty, well adapted for truck farming and otherwise. These 
lands this Company propose to settle by colonization both 
from the United States and England, and the solid induce- 
ments and advantages offered cannot fail to attract the atten- 
tion of residents in those less lavored districts. 

The general plan is to offer to visitors small farms read}' 
fenced and cleared with house which can be built to suit the 
taste of the purchaser ; also groves ready planted with orange 
or other trees of anv age which the purchaser may desire. 

The Company's model farms and groves are made on a 
uniform plan and offered at reduced rates. A town has been 
laid out and lots are reserved for churches, schools and pub- 
lic recreation grounds. A good saw mill is on the ground 
and a stock of 250,000 feet of lumber on hand which is re- 
served for the use of settlers and will be offered to them at 
prices lower than the lowest. 

As soon as the canal is completed the company will run 
a steam boat between the estate and Kissimmee, and will 
offer to settlers the transportation of their goods and farm 
products at greatly reduced prices, and especial accommo- 
dations will be extended to settlers during the lirst year ot 
residence. 

The Company will guarantee to employ bona fide settlers 
in preference to all others, as long as the former shall give 
satisfaction. 

The Companv is erecting stores and boarding houses, 
planting orange nurseries and carrying out all these works 
with the view of providing settlers with provisions and ma- 
terials at the minimum of cost, so that the immigrants may be 
certain of obtaining a large supply of everything they can 
desire at prices which could hardly be realized by indi\id- 
uals. 

Special arrangements will be made to meet the desire 
and convenience of any purchaser, and the officers of the 
Companv will make it their endeavor to study the different 
ideas and wishes of all so that if the above does not coincide 
with the views of anv intending visitor, fuller information 
can be obtained by applying by letter or personally to 

Mr. E. N. Fell, Gen. Man'r. 

Kissimmee C\\.w Fla. 



ORANGELAND. 85 



LIVINGS.TON & WALLACE, REAL ESTATE 

AGENTS, 

Orlando, Florida, Buy and sell orange groves and orange 

lands in Orange county, and examine deeds. 

Mr. J. H. Livingston, the senior of the above firm, is from 
the old State of Kentucky, where he resided in the capacity 
of tiller of the soil and stock raiser on the Blue Grass of that 
State, until he came farther south. 

The past seven years he has spent in the county of 
Orange from choice, that choice being made after an extend- 
ed prospecting tour of South Florida, embracing all the lands 
contiguous to and on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. For some 
years his energies were concentrated in making two orange 
groves, one of which he sold last year for $10,000 cash, the 
other his family now enjoy the fruits of, together with vari- 
ous other groves and tracts well located in Orange county. 

His family and himself have enjoyed perfect health all 
these years, having yet to employ the lirst M. D. in the fam- 
ily. Of such facts man}' instances can be enumerated. 

The health of Orange county is beyond question, proper 
location having much to do with it. Of this, and the soils 
adapted to the successful growth of the orange, Mr. Living- 
ston's long experience is worth much. In this particular he 
takes great pains with all buyers, to see that they get what 
they desire, and as an agent, does all in his power that 
experience has taught him to aid all buyers in these ver}- im- 
portant particulars. 

The same may be said of Mr. J. L. Wallace, the junior 
partner, with the exception that Mr. Wallace has not had 
quite as long an experience. Mr. Wallace came here three 
vears ago from the West, where he had been a commercial 
traveler in Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska for a number of 
years, enjoying the confidence of a large circle of friends. 
'His histor}' here has been the same, and like the senior he 
enjoys the "^confidence of all the old citizens of Orange count3\ 

As Land Agents, these gentlemen have on their books 
valuable groves in bearing, as well as younger groves and 
wild lands aggregating thousands of acres. These groves 
and lands are near Orlando, Maitland, Winter Park, South 
Apopka, and that beautiful lake country four miles east of 
the railroad at Maitland, known as the ftowell and the Wor- 
onoco Lake region. These lands are known for their health 
and adaptabihty for oranges, lemons, limes, guavas, pine- 
apples, etc. etc., as also for vegetables of all kinds. 

Thev solicit correspondence, and any intbrmation desir- 
ed will he promptly given. Fine carriages in readiness. 



86 ORANGELAXD. 



SINCLAIR'S REAL ESTATE AGENCY, 

AT ORLANDO. 

There is no agency in the county whose success has been 
so marked as this. From a small beginning in April, 1881, 
a course of square dealing has built up a business second to 
none of the kind in the State. 

Hon. John G. Sinclair, the senior member of this firm, 
came here from New Hampshire in Noyember, 1879, ^^^ the 
purpose of engaging in the manufacture of starch from the 
Cassava root, having been a large manufacturer at the North. 
Having a very extensive acquaintance in New England, he 
had occasion to purchase many places for his friends 
North, and parties here, seeing his opportunities, applied to 
him to sell lor them. Applications from both buyers and 
sellers became so numerous that in April, 1881, he took out 
his first license. From that date to July, 1882, a period of 
fourteen months, although for a considerable time he had 
established no office and had no assistant, his sales aggre- 
gated $131,187. At that time it became apparent that the 
business had reached a magnitude that rendered it impossi- 
ble for him to carry it along alone, and he employed Mr. N. 
L. Mills, of Burlington, Iowa, as assistant, who developed 
such capacity for the business that in November of the same 
year he was admitted as a partner. 

From July i, 1882, to Sept. i, 1883, again fourteen 
months, their*^sales aggregated more than $275,000, more 
than doubling that of the first fourteen months, and the sales 
of September and October of the present year have amounted 
to more than three times those of the corresponding months 
of last year. These sales have been made to parties from 
nearly every State in the Union, in many instances to those 
who had never met either member of the firm, but who left it 
entirely to their discretion to select lands for them. It is the 
boast of this agency, and we believe it to be well founded, 
that there is no party to whom they have sold who charge 
them with any misrepresentation, and that there is no single 
piece of property sold by them prior to September i, 1883, 
which will not sell for an advance on the price then paid. 
This is a remarkable statement when the liability of new set- 
tlers to change their mind or to become homesick is consid- 
ered, but we know of many instances among their early sales 
where property has quadrupled in value. It is a pleasure to 
us to bear witness to the probity- and success of this agency 
on account of its manly and honorable treatment of ourself a 
couple of years since, when we came from Massachusetts 



ORANGELAND. . 87 



with little expectation of continued life, having been compell- 
ed to sacrifice a flourishing newspaper and job printing busi- 
ness because of increasing ill health, the leading physicians 
informing us that our only possible hope was in the genial 
climate of Florida, where we might possibly triumph over 
the catarrh, rheumatism and malaria that had brought us to 
the crumbling brink of the grave. 

Through Sinclair's agency we found a piece of land that 
we thought would suit us for a home and put up a handsome 
sum as part payment, Mr. Sinclair having the deeds made 
out. But before completing the purchase we found a hand- 
some tract of Government land at Lake Woronoco and enter- 
ed a homestead. Upon stating the facts to the gentlemen of 
the agency, they not only released us from our agreement 
but refunded every dollar of the money we had advanced, 
though they could legally have kept every dollar. 

It is b}' similiar acts of kindness and a course of fair 
dealing that this agency has laid its solid foundations and 
thus early established an attractive reputation throughout the 
county and it is now receiving its reward in a splendid busi- 
ness. 

Every piece of property placed upon the books of this 
agency is thoroughly inspected by one of its members or a 
competent assistant. Titles are carefully examined and full 
abstracts of titles from the county records certified by the 
clerk of the Circuit Court are furnished free to purchasers. 
So thoroughly has this been done that in but a single instance 
has a title been questioned, and in that case the decision of 
the court sustained the title obtained through this agency. 

Their office is on the corner of Orange and Pine streets, 
opposite the Charleston and Magnolia Hotels, and is the 
headquarters for newcomers. Fine specimens ot fruits and 
products of Florida are kept there on exhibition. Printed 
matter relating to Florida, local papers, etc., are constantly 
kept for gratuitous circulation. Town, county and State 
maps for reference hang upon the walls, and information on 
all points interesting to proposed immigrants is cheerfully 
given. Good horses with comfortable covered carriages are 
in their shed and stable near the office, with careful drivers 
constantly in waiting to convey strangers, free of charge, to 
any points of interest in and about town and to any property 
offered by the agency for sale, and an efficient clerk is em- 
ployed to answer all letters of inquiry under the supervision 
of the proprietors, both of whom show their faith in Florida 
by their works, Mr Sinclair having put out two groves of 800 
trees each, one on the place at Wilcox on which he resides. 



OR ANGEL AND. 



(called Interlaken in Barbour's Book on Florida) beautifully 
situated on Lakes Ivanhoe and Formosa, the other on Ham- 
mock land on Lake Rowena, both of which groves are as 
line of their age as an}- in this vicinit}', and are well worthy 
of examination. Mr. Mills has bought ten acres in a hue 
location within the corporate limits of Orlando, on what is 
known as Whilldin's addition, and is to build and put out a 
grove on a part of it, selling the balance for building lots. 
This agency has probably nine-tenths of the properties for 
sale in and around Orlando exclusively on its books. Also 
some of the best at Maitland, Longwood and Apopka, some 
thousands of acres between Lakes Apopka and Butler, and 
large tracts along the line of the South Florida Railroad in 
Polk county, selected by an experienced surveyor. We 
cheerfully commend this enterprising firm to ovu" readers. 



BIDDELL & CRUMPLER, 

500,000 ACRES OF GOVERNMENT LANDS. 

This firm,G. VV. Biddell and M. O. Grumpier, have Slate, 
Disston and Railroad lands from which to make selections. 
We have spared no time or money in obtaining knowl- 
edge as to the whereabouts and qualit}' of the above vacant 
lands. These lands consist of Hammock, (high and low). 
Pine, (rolling and table), and prairie, admirably adapted to 
oranges, corn, sugar cane, rice, and vegetables. In fact 
everything usually grown in South Florida. For further in- 
formation, address us with 2 cent stamp to cover postage. 
All letters prompth' answered, free of charge. Correspon- 
dence solicited. A^ldress at Orlando, Orange county, Flor- 
da. 

The above gentlemen are in the real estate business in 
the manner shown in their advertisement, in order to accom- 
modate not only men of large means, but those who may 
desire a home in Florida, having but little to invest. They 
are both men of large experience, having been so engaged 
in various other States. The senior as well as the junior of 
the firm have selected these lands from a personal search 
through the several counties mentioned ^ with the view to 
meet the wants of every one, not only as to value in money, 
but as to their adaptation to the orange and all semi-tropical 
fruits and vegetables, this latter soon to become one of the 
best paying industries in Florida. 

They have under their supervision and on their books 
for sale, vacant lands in South Florida, embracing Gov- 
ernment, State, Disston, Internal-Improvement, Semi- 



ORANGE LAND. 89 



nary, school proper, school indemnity, and Railroad lands, of 
which they have full and complete maps got up for them by 
the best engineers at large expense. With these descriptive 
maps they can show the relative position of thousands of 
acres, f;nabling the purchaser to decide at their office the 
points of observation. 

These lands are located in Orange, Sumter, Polk,. 
Hillsborough, Hernando and Manatee counties. From this 
vast bodv they have been the means of selling many thous- 
and acres during the past year. In fact they have few idle 
moments, so pushed are they with applications and purchas- 
ers. Their prices are moderate, making lands within reach 
of all. They are offering from 40 acres up to thousands in a 
body. 

All business intrusted to them will receive prompt atten- 
tion and all mone3's be properly accounted ibr. Parties can 
do as well by sending their orders as to come in person. 
They make all selections as nearly according to written in- 
structions as is possible, and by s,o doing they meet the wants 
of ever}^ one, and all are satisfied. This has proven the case 
in numerous instances this past summer, and will more than 
double in ratio this season. They have some large bodies of 
wild lands located 3'ears ago by competent men, when the 
country was in its wilds, and only a settler here and there, 
hence giving them the choice of the country. Prices of land 
vary according to location and their adaptation to use for 
oranges, vegetables, etc., nearness to railroads and towns, 
lakes and other advantages. They have manj^ thousand 
acres of the most valuable lands in South Florida, at from 
$2.50 to $25.00 per acre. 



MR. O. W. PRINCE. 

What an enterprising and industrious man can do in 
Florida, is well illustrated by the experience and success of 
Mr. O. W. Prince, one of the leading merchants in Orlando. 
He moved to Orange county with his father in 1869, worked 
for him two years and at the age of 19 years started for him- 
self, working for small wages. In 1874 ^^^ secured a home- 
stead near Lake Apopka and commenced improving it and 
setting out a grove, to which he devoted all the means he 
could spare, which was but little, as he had married and had 
a family to support from his earnings. 

The trees he set were very 3^oung and small, and since 
that time he has added to his grove from year to year until 
now he has 800 trees — oranges, lemons and limes — in very 



•po 



ORANGELAND. 



tine and thrifty condition, some 300 large enough to bear 
and 100 laden with fruit in his grove of fourteen acres, which 
would readil}' bring $10,000. It is situated a mile and a half 
northwest of Apopka Cit}' on the line of the Tavares, Orlan- 
do & Atlantic Railroad, which passes through his homestead. 
He has hired all his work done since commencing his grove. 

In 1880 he moved to Orlando and comm.enced business 
on his own account with a capital of $700, Mr. S. A. Lucke}-, 
one of the prosperous pioneers of this section building him a 
store just south of the present Charleston Hotel, (formerh- 
the Luckey House). Last 3-ear he built himself a fine store 
house and dwelling, with sixty feet front on Orange street, 
and opposite his former place of business, for which he has 
.since been offered $4,000 in cash. Every available spot in 
the yard to the rear is filled with a nursery of thrifty and 
■^'igorous fruit trees. 

He now has a very finely stocked general merchandise 
store, carrying some $0,000 to $10,000 worth of goods, com- 
prising dry goods, notions, clothing, gents' furnishing goods, 
hats, caps, shoes, and all kinds of family and fancy groceries 
-and provisions, which he sells as cheap as any house in town. 
He buvs most of his groceries from the celebrated house of 
H. K. & F. B. Thurber & Co., of New York City, and prides 
himself on having goods of the ver}' best quality in ever}- de- 
partment. 

From this instance can be seen what little money with 
^untirincr energfv and determination will do in Orange county, 
-■especially when coupled with sterling rectitude and integrity 
as in the case of Mr. Prince, who is universally esteemed for 
his honorable and straightforward dealing, and whose word 
is as good as his bond. 



MR. JOHN A. WORTHEN, 

A Civil Engineer, Architect and Surveyor, a na- 
'tive of Vermont and graduate of Dartsmouth College, N. H., 

has purchased property and located at Orlando. He has 
.been employed for several years in the line of his profession 
•on the railroads of the Northwestern territories, and for the 

past two years in the service of the General Government as 
■civil engineer, improving the navigation of the Mississippi. 

He comes highly recommended and is an unquestionably 
-capable man well deserving the confidence and patronage ot 

the community, and is ready to attend to any of their wants 

in his line of business. 



ORANGELAND. 9 I 



T. J. ADAMS, LANDS ENTERED AND FOR SALE. 

T. J. Adams, formerly of Chicago, Illinois, for eight 
years past a resident of Orange county, Florida, engaged in 
orange growing. 

Improved and unimproved lands for sale in different 
parts of the count3^ Improved places from $ i ,000 to $ 1 2,000. 
Unimproved lands from ;i^5 to $150 per acre. These lands 
were selected at an early day and include some of the best 
in the county. 

Has examined the vacant lands throughout the county, 
and can make desirable selections. Is a good judge of the 
different Florida soils and never enters sziuinips, lakes or 
scrub for orange groves. 

State and^United States land .ti.25 per acre. 

Letters of inquiry promptly replied to. Address, 

T.J.Adams, 
P. O. Box 165. Orlando, Fla. 



MARK R. BACON, ABSTRACTS OF LAND TITLES. 

Mark R. Bacon, Orlando, Orange county, Florida, (for- 
merly law partner of Hon. James McCartney, the preserft 
attorney general of Illinois). Examines land titles, gives 
opinions, pays taxes, selects, locates, and enters Government 
and State lands. Began and completed the only set of Ab- 
stract books of Land Titles in Orange county, therefore has 
a better knowledge of the titles to the lands in this county 
than an}' other person. Has personally inspected the lands 
in every part of the county and most of the State. Has land 
of his own in every part of the county for sale at from $5 per 
acre up. 

U. S. Government land $1.25 per acre. 

^flF*Also land, improved- and unimproved, in several 
different counties in Illinois to sell, or will trade for Florida 
lands. 

Address at Orlando, Orange county, or Ocala, Marion 
■county, Florida. 



ORLANDO LABOR EXCHANGE. 

Situations procured for reliable farm, mechanical and 
•domestic laborers. Address, with stamp. 

Labor Exchange, 

Orlando, Fla. 



92 



ORANGELAND. 



TWO MODEL GROVES. 

The two groves of Hon. Lewis Lawrence, of Utica, N. 
Y., one situated at Maitland and one near Winter Park, are 
models of neatness and marvels of rapid growth. This is 
due to the methods employed b}^ Mr. Lawrence in their cul- 
ture, and to the care he has bestowed upon his trees. That 
others may prolit b}^ his experience and successes, we give a 
general outline of his manner of treating his trees. 

The grG>ve at Maitland, of six and a half acres, was set 
out bv Mr. L. in 1876. For two years the care of the trees 
was not very thorough, and they made but an indifferent 
growth. At the end of that time Mr. L. decided to force 
them. He therefore prepared a compost of muck, potash, 
lime and Stockbridge lertilizer, and applied thirty—six cords 
of this broadcast to the grove. This gave the trees a vigor- 
ous start. Since then, becoming convinced of the superior 
value of Forrester's fertilizers, he has used it exclusively, giv- 
ing a broadcast dressing of 500 pounds per acre twice a year. 
His trees have made a marvelous growth, bemg now the de- 
light of his heart, and receiving the attention and t~"avorable 
comment of every one who sees them. 

Early in the summer of 1881, Mr. L. purchased a tract 
comprising twenty-five acres of land and fifteen of water on 
the south side of Lake Maitland, near Winter Park. This 
he had thoroughly cleared, grubbed and burned, making it 
as clean as a garden. In the November following he set out 
2,400 budded trees obtained from the Belair grove. They 
are set in hexagonal form, about 100 to the acre. At trans- 
planting he gave them one pound of Forrester's fertilizer to 
the tree, and followed this a few weeks later with a broadcast 
dressing of 500 pounds to the acre. He has followed out this 
system of semi-annual dressings of 500 pounds of Forrester 
per acre since then with the most satisfactory results. He 
allows grass to grow among his trees until the ground is well 
covered, when he cuts it with machines and plows it under, 
thus adding vegetable matter as well. Several of his small 
trees, only set two ^ears ago, ha^e borne fruit the present 
season. Thorough tillage and liberal fertilization have ac- 
complished all this and no man in Orange county can show 
more health}' or rapidl}' growing trees. • 

During the present season he has put in a caloric pump, 
large water tank, and system of underground pipes so that 
he can, in a dry season, thoroughlv irrigate this young grove. 
He is systematic, methodical and thorough in everything, 
and does well whatever he undertakes. His success will 
stimulate and his methods instruct others. 



ORANGELAND. 93 



C. A. BOONE & CO., 

SUCCESSORS TO PATRICK & BOONE. 

Dealers in all kinds of hardware and furnishing goods. 
The largest and best assorted stock of crockery and glass- 
ware, China, tin; wood and willow w^are and hollow ware, 
wall paper and curtain fixtures. Sewing machines, New 
Home, Houshold and American. We have a complete stock 
of furniture, spring beds, mattresses, matting, pillows, ward- 
robes, desks, stoves, etc. We are headquarters for every- 
thing in this line, and we guarantee our Iron King to cook 
better and last longer than an}- cook stove made. 

We handle the largest assortment and best stock of 
paints, oils, varnishes, colors, whiting, brushes, etc., kept in 
the country. Also the best brands of table and pocket cut- 
lery and carpenter's tools to be had an3'where, direct irom 
the hands of the manufacturers. 

Buggv and wagon harness, saddles, bridles, plowmen s 
outfits. 

The largest and completest stock of agricultural imple- 
ments, such as plows, hoes, spades, rakes, shovels, axes, 
mattocks, grub hoes, harrows, guns, hunting outfits, amuni- 
tion, fishing tackle, base balls and bats. 

We make specialties of the following : Barbed wire, 
drive wells, rubber and leather belting. Also sole agents for 
the celebrated Cotton Gaudy Belting, the best in use. 

Orange boxes and wraps in large quantities during the 
season. Doors, sash and blinds at Jacksonville prices. We 
guarantee you better goods for the price and lower prices for 
the goods than you will find anywhere in South Florida. 

C. A. BOONE & CO. 



94 ORANGELAND. 



THE OLD RELIABLE STORE, 

W. G. WHITE, ORLANDO, FLA. 

Established 1878; 110x40 feet, two stories and barn. 
Chuck full of A No. i guaranteed supplies of all kinds. 
Ever3'thing a newcomer needs. Our stock is unrivaled ; 
styles unequaled ; quantity unsurpassed. ; prices below com- 
petition. Call on us to buy your supplies for self, house, farm, 
grove and stock. Polite clerks, with determined efforts, will 
please you. Respectful!}', 

W. G. White. 



CLIFTON SPRINGS, ON LAKE JESUP, 

ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA. 

The famous pic-nic resort for all Sanford, Tuskawilla, 
Lake Charm and all surrounding country, is one of the most 
charmingly beautiful situations in all Florida. It is on the 
south side of Lake Jesup, which is a magnilicent expanse 
'of water, seventeen miles long and hve miles wide. Clifton 
Springs takes its name from Dr. Henry Foster's place in 
Western, N. Y., and from the great number and variety of 
Sulphur Springs all in a short distance of each other. The 
location is a beautiful one ; luxuriant tropical growth. The 
shore is a hard, white sand beach, and rises up from the 
water's edge to a height of ten feet. It presents a most eligi- 
ble hotel site, is in the center of a magnificent belt of orange 
land, thicklv studded with orange groves. The waters are 
full of tine tish and the hammocks are alive with game of all 
kinds. It is rapidly growing into notice, and will, in a short 
while, become a great winter resort. It is the property of 
Mr. W. G. White, the merchant of Orlando, Florida, who 
wishes to sell a part of it for a hotel, which, if properly man- 
aged, will prove a grand success. 



OIIANGELAND. g^, 



DR. R. H. McFARLAND'S RESIDENCE. 

At the south of a chain of beautiful lakes that spread out- 
northward like a meandering river, and about a mile and a. 
quarter southerly from Orlando, is the pleasant residence of" 
Dr. McFarland, embowered amid a profusion of flowers: 
and with a carpet of Bermuda grass that extends down the 
hill to the Lake Lancaster. Born in Pennsylvania he was 
for many years a resident of Kentucky from whence he came 
here Nov. 24, 1875, and bought a fine place of 60 acres. He 
was educated as an allopathic physician, which mode of" 
treatment he practiced for twelve years, but for the past 30 
years has been one of the most successful of Homeopathic 
physicians. He has a fine grove of Soo orange trees, IOO^ 
lemon, 25 Tahiti lime, 10 Japan plums, an acre of guavas^ 
large quantity of Catalina guavas. Honey and Peen-to 
peaches, v/ild goose plum, Japan persimmon, LeConte pears ^ 
raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, pineapples, bananas. 
Concord and Delaware grapes, pawpaw, pecan, Surinam 
cherries, tea plants, white and Russian mulberries, etc., etc- 
On his place of 40 acres, named "The Oaks," he also has 
400 orange, 200 guava and 50 lemon trees, besides limes, 
tea plant, etc. In fact pages might be filled with a descrip- 
tion of this lovely place, his excellent wife's success with 
flowers, and the many charms and advantages both natural 
and artificial. 



MR. S. A. LUCKEY. 

As an illustration of what m.ay be accom.plished by pluck, 
intelligent energy and honorable dealing, we cite the case of 
Mr. S. A. Luck}^ who has a fine place of about 500 acres 
some two- miles east of Orlando, besides lands in other sec- 
tions. He reached here from Georgia, Christmas day, 1870, 
with little means and a large family, rented lands and lived 
in a tent. Plis first attempts, by unexpected losses, used up 
what little m.eans he had, and at the end of the second year 
he was $200 in debt. 

In 1874 ^'^^ ^^^^ ^H^ ^ homestead and by dint of hard 
work and push, taking contracts for sphtting rails, digging- 
ditches, clearing lands, etc., etc., he wrested prosperity from 
adversity. Pie now has a commodious house, a fine grove 
of 1,400 trees, 200 bearing and 500 that will bear next year, 
and his place is valued at over $20,000. He also gives great 
attention to vegetable raising for market and finds ready sale- 
He has raised cattle, though he thinks the flat woods better 



g6 



OR ANGEL AND. 



for that business, owned and run a saw mill, built the Lucky 
House at Orlando^ (now the Charleston Hotel) which he still 
owns, and which is the most thoroughly constructed and Im- 
ished building in this rapidly growing cit}'. All this has not 
been accomplished without unexampled energy and a reputa- 
tion for square and straightforward dealing, but it shows 
what can be done in this favored country. 



REEL & FOSTER, 

Liver3', ^^^^ and feed stable. Also dealers in grain, hay 
and lertilizer. Corner Orange street and Central avenue, 
Orlando, Florida. This wide awake lirm, E. J. Reel and 
P. A. Foster, have extensive new buildings, fine horses, new 
handsome and nobby turnouts, unexcelled in the State. 
Their charges are very reasonable and all their patrons are 
sure of courteous and gentlemanly treatment. Ever}' few 
weeks the}^ receive car loads of line Kentucky horses for sale, 
thus giving the best of opportunities for securing an excellent 
team. Also wagons, buggies and carriages from the cele- 
brated firm of S. B. & CT Hayes, Washington, Pa. 



MANGOLD & SON, . 

PRACTICAL LANDSCAPE ARTISTS, PALATKA, FLA. 

The}'- have on hand the largest assortment of Florida 
yiews of any publishers in the State, their collection embrac- 
ing nearly two hundred different views of Orange county 
alone, among which are views of orange groves in different 
stages, Irom that just planted to the grove in full bearing. 
Views of beautiful lakes, moss scenery, residences, villages, 
towns and cities ; in fact almost everything of interest to be 
found in the State. For .^1.50 they will mail to an^■ address 
one dozen assorted views. Address, 

Mangold & Son, 

Palatka, Florida. 



BUREAU OF P^LORIDA INFORMATION. 

Newspapers, Circulars, Pamphlets and reliable written 
information furnished on all matters pertaining to Florida, 
and especially as regards "The Orange Belt," m proportion 
to the amount of remittance. Address, 

Sherman Adams, 

Orlando, Fla. 



ORANGELAND. 



91 



MR. GEO. W. MOVERS. 

Among the pioneers in the saw mill business in Orange 
county, may be mentioned Geo\ W. Mo3'ers, who came to this 
county in 1875 and engaged in the manufacture of lumber 
for building purposes. At that time it was considered by 
many as a hazardous enterprise, but by fair dealing with all 
and a close application to his business personally, he has won 
for himself the reputation of being the "Boss Saw Mill" man 
of the county, and the lumber manufactured by him always 
stands A i among the carpenters who have had access to his 
mill. Commencing with. very limited capital he iirst began 
on Eake Orienta, near the present site of the fine Altamonte 
Hotel, operating there for one year and then moving to Lake 
Virginia, now the beautiful site of Winter Park, at which 
point he carried on his business for six-j'ears. During this 
time he met with many serious drawbacks well calculated to 
dishearten a more timid man ; but with a firm faith in the 
rapid development of the county, and a determination not to 
be beaten in the race, he has during this year moved to a 
point on the west bank of the Wekiva river, three miles from 
the railroad at Snow's Station, (or Altamonte Hotel) and im- 
mediatel}' on the line dividing the Altamonte settlement from 
Forest City — Orange Park. Here he has fitted up one of the 
most complete establishments in South Florida for the manu- 
facture of building lumber, and is prepared now to supply 
complete bills of house lumber either rough or dressed, and, 
for quality of lumber and workmanship he challenges com- 
parison with any mill in the county. In addition to his reg- 
ular lumber trade he is putting in special machines for the 
manufactvn-e of plaster laths, orange boxes, and vegetable 
crates, for which there will be a good demand in the near 
future. He is located in one of the finest timbered sections 
of the county, and in the midst of the grand boom now being 
enjoyed by Altamonte and Forest Cit}', with a homestead ot 
one hundred and sixty acres of splendid land he will soon 
reap some of the harvest for which he has been so long work- 
ing. 

Parties who contemplate building or using lumber for 
other purposes will do well to call at the "Boss Saw Mill," 
and Mr. Moyers will always be glad to make estimates for 
bills, and is prepared with ample teams to deliver lumber in 
any quantity and at anv point within ten miles on very 
reasonable terms. 

On his own place he has erected one of the best dwell- 
ing houses in the county, and has in grove about 500 orange 



98 OKAXGELAXI). 



trees, some of which are bearing one thousand oranges this 
season, on land where seven years ago the stately pine was 
king ot' the fields. So much for pluck and energ\-. 

CAPT. T.J. vSHINES 

ABSTRACTS OF TITLES IN ORAXGE COUXTY, 

The above work is of great \alue to persons intending 
to purchase land, having been prepared bv a great outlav of 
skill, time and expense. These huge volumes show at a 
glance the exact status of any piece of land in Orange county 
as to ownership, taxes, judgments, liens, etc., and can be 
relied upon as being correct in all particulars. Capt. Shine's 
official position and experience as Clerk of the Circuit Court 
gives him the best possible means of obtaining information 
on these points, and he has coiu'teous and able assistants. 

THE SANFORD JOURNAL. 

A weekly newspaper published ever}' Thursday at San- 
ford. Orange count^■, Florida. The Journal is de\oted to 
the development of South Florida, and heartily favors all 
proper schemes and enterprises whether undertaken by the 
State or individuals, which seek to induce immigration and 
development. It will encourage all industries which give 
promise of beneht, and will seek to furnish such reliable in- 
formation as will be of value to the citizens, and to those 
desiring to become citizens. 

The moral tone of the Journal will be such as to render 
it an acceptable visitor to the family circle, while in typo- 
graphical execution it will be the equal of any paper in the 
State. 

Sanford is the head of navigation of the St. Johns river 
for large steamers, is the northern terminus of two railroads, 
and the commercial center of a large and growing section of 
country. Its growth has been phenomenal, and its prospects 
of a large population and extensive business are flattering. 

The subscription price of the Journal is ^2.00 per \'ear, 
payable in\ariabl\- in ad\ance. 

J.J. Harris, Editor and Pr()p'r. 



THE ORANGE COUNTY REPORTER. 

MAIILOX GOUIC, EDITOR. 

A weekly, published at Orlando, Orange county, Flor- 
ida, at -12.00 per year. Send live cents for sample copy. 



ORANGELAND. 99 



BANK OF ORLANDO. 

Prominent among the evidences of the rapid progress, 
growth and development of Orange connty is the flourishing 
condition of the Bank of Orlando. This financial institu- 
tion, started almost as an experiment less than a year since, 
shows unexampled success as an investment, and has im- 
measurably aided all classes in their eflbrts to secure homes, 
develop bvisiness and make the wilderness blossom as the 
rose. Tourists, traders, land hunters and pleasure seekers, 
as well as men of business and other residents need only to 
produce proper letters of credit from other banks and their 
drafts will be cashed. Mr. Charles Joy, of Wells River, 
Vt., is the President, and Mr. Nat. Poyntz, a gentleman 
well known in Mavsville, Kv., and also throughout the whole 
State of Florida, is the Cashier. So rapidly has the business 
of the Bank increased the present season that additional 
force was needed, and Mr. Wm. B. Newton, of Covington, 
K}'., has been elected assistant cashier, and Mr. W. N. Nail 
collecting clerk. Those having business with this institution 
are assured the most considerate attention possible. 



J. K. DUKE & CO. 

The gentlemen comprising this firm possess those pecu- 
liar social qualities and gentlemanly manners that endear 
them to all who once make their acquaintance, and by their 
business tact and careful regard for the wants of their cus- 
tomers thev have established a business second to none in 
their line "in South Florida. They have one of the most 
attractive business houses in Orlando, centrally located on 
the corner of Pine and Court Streets, and make first class 
goods and low prices a specialty. They are remarkably suc- 
cessful in meeting the wants of their customers, and those 
who trade with them once are sure to go again. They keep 
a full assortment of first-class staple and fancy groceries and 
provisions, their goods being unexcelled for quality. Among 
other things too numerous to mention, we note a hill line ot 
California canned goods. Mr. Duke came from Kentucky 
in 1878, started a store in 1880 and the present firm in 1882. 
He has a lovely home a litUe north of the court house with a 
great variety of fruits and flowers. He also owns lands and 
several fine groves out of the corporation limits. 



lOO ORANGELAXr>. 



BON AIR LUNG CURE, 

For all lung and bronchial diseases, and kindred com- 
plaints arising therefrom. The multitudes of people now suf- 
fering with consumption, bronchitis, asthma, inflamation of 
the lungs or bronchial tubes, can hnd a cure. This new 
compound is composed of the most purifying and healing 
roots, gums and plants, grown in the helds and forests of 
Florida. 

No one will doubt the eflicacy of this remedy after a 
trial. Thousands have filled untimely graves for want of 
knowledge of proper treatment or through delay. The thief 
of life enters quietly and steals the noblest of our race. No 
matter how far advanced your case may be, Tiiv it. If it is 
just creeping upon you, do not delay. 

For the protection of the public and the manufacturer 
each label will bear our trade mark. None is genuine with- 
out the map of Florida, on which is a shield bearing the 
words, "Trade Mark — ^Bon Air Health — 50 cents, $1 and 
$2 per bottle."' Ask your druggist to send for it. Address. 

Bon Air Laboratory, 

Orlando. Fla. 

SOUTH FLORIDA SADDLERY. 

Harness, from the cheapest plow gear to the most stylish 
carriage harness. Saddles, all styles and prices, from $3 up. 
Bridles, collars, hames, leather oil, etc. Everything pertain- 
ing to horse and mule harness at manufacturers prices, for 
cash. Repairing promptly done. Factory and salesrooms 
opposite court house. Call on or address South Florida Sad- 
dlery, Orlando, Florida. 



INTERIOR LAND AGENCY. 

Otlice Orlando, Florida. Free teams convey land hun- 
ters over the different sections. Lands adapted to orange, 
lemon, pineapple, banana, and all semi-tropical fruit culture, 
as well as tobacco, cane, corn, and general truck gardening. 
Improved orange groves and wild land, select locations, high 
lake fronts, level lands or hills. The piney hills of the in- 
terior of South Florida are unquestionably the most healthful 
resort in the world for those afflicted with consumption, 
catarrh, asthma, or any bronchial affections, rheumatism 
and many other complaints, and can be reached at a com- 
parativel\- trilling expense. Lands bought and sold on com- 
mission, land cleared, groves made and cultivated for* non- 
residents. Call on or address with stamp, 

iN'rKRioK Land A<;kxcy. 







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4 



LE '08 



